Japanese authorities are calling on residents in the region struck by the Noto Peninsula earthquake to be on alert for possible landslides as rain is expected there from Saturday afternoon.

The Meteorological Agency says seismic activity remains at high levels in and around the Noto region even though the number of tremors has gradually been decreasing.

On Friday morning, two strong quakes hit Ishikawa Prefecture, with an intensity of 4 on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to 7.

The agency says earthquakes with an intensity of upper 5 or stronger may occur in the region for the coming two or three weeks.

Because of the numerous quakes, landslides could be triggered by even a small amount of rain.

Low temperatures are also expected in Ishikawa on Saturday. A daytime high of 8 degrees Celsius is forecast for Wajima City and 7 degrees for Kanazawa City.

Many people have fallen ill due to prolonged stays in shelters. Some have died of possible disaster-related causes.

Evacuees are advised to take precautions against hypothermia, as well as to keep an eye on each other about health conditions among family members and others around them. They are also urged to stay warm by using blankets and exercising.