More than 15,000 people are still staying at shelters in Ishikawa Prefecture three weeks after a powerful earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day.

An intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to seven was registered in Ishikawa.

Officials in the prefecture have confirmed 232 people dead and 22 others still unaccounted for.

As of 2 p.m. on Sunday, more than 34,000 houses and buildings had been confirmed as sustaining damage from the quake.

More than 49,000 households are still without running water as the quake caused serious damage to infrastructure.

Water supply has been suspended in six cities and towns in Ishikawa. It is expected to be restored temporarily in late February at the earliest.

Some communities were isolated due to damaged or blocked roads in the wake of the earthquake. They are believed to be no longer isolated, but some of them still need assistance due to poor conditions of roads.

As of 2 p.m. on Sunday, 15,656 people were staying at evacuation facilities and the situation is not likely to improve anytime soon.

The evacuees also have to endure harsh winter conditions as heavy snowfalls are expected from Tuesday through Wednesday.
Also, infectious diseases have been spreading at some evacuation centers. Assistance to help the evacuees stay healthy is greatly needed.