The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that strong tremors were expected in the week after the quake.
The scale of devastation is yet unclear, primarily in the cities of Wajima and Suzu, as rescuers are unable to reach some areas due to damaged roads and communications.
The situation is further exacerbated by snow and cold temperatures of 0 to 4 degrees Celsius (32 to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit) as thousands of households were left without electricity and water. Up to 12 and 9 centimeters (4.7 and 3.5 inches) of snow fell in Suzu and Wajima respectively, increasing the risk of building collapse amid seismic activity. The snowfall is also delaying efforts to repair roads, which is critical for delivering relief aid to the quake-stricken areas.
On January 1, a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake, followed by a series of aftershocks, struck near the city of Suzu on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. The tremors also led to buildings collapsing and left over 23,900 households without power, although no nuclear power plant failures were registered. The quake became the most powerful for the Noto Peninsula region since records began in 1885.
At least 161 people died as a result of the disaster and 103 remain unaccounted for. The earthquake also forced more than 28,800 people in Ishikawa to evacuate to government shelters. Japan's Self-Defense Forces deployed 5,900 rescue workers to assist with disaster relief efforts.