Most rural Afghan homes are made of mud, clay, and stone, materials that crumble quickly during tremors. At night, with families indoors, casualties rise sharply.

Why Afghanistan’s earthquakes strike at night more often?

History shows a pattern: the 2005 Kashmir quake and the 2015 Nepal quake both highlighted how seismic activity in one region can foreshadow destruction in another.

From Kabul to Delhi: Could one Afghanistan earthquake trigger a chain reaction across South Asia?

Afghanistan sits on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian plates, one of the most active tectonic regions in the world, making such quakes inevitable.

Afghanistan earthquake: How an 8 km underground tremor killed over 800 people

In wealthier regions, recovery is rapid. In Afghanistan, each earthquake compounds ongoing crises displacement, hunger, and conflict, making every tremor a humanitarian disaster.

Why Afghanistan’s earthquakes are different from Japan or California?

In the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, rescuers are tirelessly searching for survivors even as bad weather and damaged roads hamper the efforts and the death toll nears 100.&nbsp;

On Friday, four days after the devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, 222 people still remain missing. The number of injured stands at 464, while 94 people are confirmed dead, including a high school boy who was visiting his family.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-earthquake-freezing-temperatures-and-heavy-rain-hamper-relief-work-676312">Japan earthquake: Freezing temperatures and heavy rain hamper relief work</a>

Amid forecasts of rain, snow and falling temperatures in coming days, the hope&nbsp;of finding more survivors is fast fading.&nbsp;However, despite the end of the three-day survival window, rescuers continue their efforts, hoping to find&nbsp;more people. As per emergency responders, survival rates tend to drop beyond the three-day or 72-hour period after an earthquake.

Speaking at a press conference, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also stressed "We must continue putting all of our efforts into rescuing people, even beyond 72 hours after the disaster."

On Thursday, the Japanese leader also pledged to tap roughly 4 billion yen ($28 million) of the country's national budget for disaster relief.

<h2>Miraculous rescue</h2>

More than 72 hours after the quake, on Thursday, two elderly women were pulled from the remains of their home in Wajima. As per AFP, one of them was rescue thanks to the effort of a sniffer dog.

Around 30,000 households in the Ishikawa region still remain without electricity. 89,800 homes in Ishikawa and two other regions are without water, while hundreds of people are living in government shelters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-earthquake-casualties-increase-to-62-amid-aftershocks-and-bad-weather-toll-expected-to-rise-further-676013">Japan earthquake casualties increase to 62; aftershocks and bad weather aggravate situation</a>

<h2>Japan and earthquakes</h2>

Every year, Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes, due to which the nation has stringent building codes, which have been in place for more than four decades.

Thanks to these strict building codes, Japan experiences little or no damage. 
 
However, as per AFP, over the last five years, the Noto region has been hit with earthquakes of intensifying strength and frequency.

The earthquake that struck Japan on New Year's as per the US Geological Survey had a magnitude of 7.5, while the JMA measured it at 7.6.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, rescuers are tirelessly searching for survivors even as bad weather and damaged roads hamper the efforts and the death toll nears 100.

In the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, rescuers are tirelessly searching for survivors even as bad weather and damaged roads hamper the efforts and the death toll nears 100. On Friday, four days after the devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, 222 people still remain missing. The number of injured stands at 464, while 94 people are confirmed dead, including a high school boy who was visiting his family. Also read | Japan earthquake: Freezing temperatures and heavy rain hamper relief work Amid forecasts of rain, snow and falling temperatures in coming days, the hope of finding more survivors is fast fading. However, despite the end of the three-day survival window, rescuers continue their efforts, hoping to find more people. As per emergency responders, survival rates tend to drop beyond the three-day or 72-hour period after an earthquake. Speaking at a press conference, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also stressed "We must continue putting all of our efforts into rescuing people, even beyond 72 hours after the disaster." On Thursday, the Japanese leader also pledged to tap roughly 4 billion yen ($28 million) of the country's national budget for disaster relief. Miraculous rescue More than 72 hours after the quake, on Thursday, two elderly women were pulled from the remains of their home in Wajima. As per AFP, one of them was rescue thanks to the effort of a sniffer dog. Around 30,000 households in the Ishikawa region still remain without electricity. 89,800 homes in Ishikawa and two other regions are without water, while hundreds of people are living in government shelters. Also read | Japan earthquake casualties increase to 62; aftershocks and bad weather aggravate situation Japan and earthquakes Every year, Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes, due to which the nation has stringent building codes, which have been in place for more than four decades. Thanks to these strict building codes, Japan experiences little or no damage. However, as per AFP, over the last five years, the Noto region has been hit with earthquakes of intensifying strength and frequency. The earthquake that struck Japan on New Year's as per the US Geological Survey had a magnitude of 7.5, while the JMA measured it at 7.6. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan earthquake: Hope fades for rescue of 222 missing people as death toll rises to 94

In the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, rescuers are tirelessly searching for survivors even as the death toll reached&nbsp;62.

On Wednesday, the regional government announced that 62 people have been confirmed dead. Additionally, more than 300 people have been injured, 20 of them seriously.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/powerful-earthquake-in-japan-may-have-shifted-land-by-13-metres-675903">Powerful earthquake in Japan may have shifted land by 1.3 metres</a>

Authorities have warned of landslides and heavy rain in the aftermath of the earthquake. Monday's 7.5-magnitude quake has already caused tsunamis over a metre&nbsp;high, leading to widespread destruction, major fires, and damaged roads. The Noto Peninsula, particularly towns like Wajima and Suzu, suffered significant losses, with buildings getting ravaged by fire and houses flattened.

<h2>Rescue efforts continue</h2>

As per AFP, the rescue efforts continue, however, challenges like aftershocks and adverse weather conditions make the situation difficult. The toll is expected to increase as rescuers continue to comb through rubble amid poor weather.

The operation is being undertaken as extra urgent&nbsp;due to the Japan Meteorological Agency's (JMA) heavy rain warning in the area.

"Be on the lookout for landslides until the evening of Wednesday," it said.

Over 31,800 individuals are in shelters, and there's a heightened risk of landslides due to heavy rain, said the government.

Stressing the urgency of rescue operations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday said: "More than 40 hours have passed since the disaster. We have received a lot of information about people in need of rescue and there are people waiting for help."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-earthquake-japan-earthquake-response-japan-earthquake-evacuation-675955">Explained | How does Japan maintain its stoic resilience amid major earthquakes?</a>

"Rescue efforts are being made by the local authorities, police, firefighters, and other operational units, while the number of personnel and rescue dogs is enhanced.&nbsp;

"However, we ask you to remain fully mindful that we are in a race against time and to continue to do your utmost to save lives, putting people's lives first," said Kishida after an emergency task force meeting.

As per the US Geological Survey, the quake had a magnitude of 7.5, while the JMA measured it at 7.6.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, rescuers are tirelessly searching for survivors even as the death toll reached 62.

In the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, rescuers are tirelessly searching for survivors even as the death toll reached 62. On Wednesday, the regional government announced that 62 people have been confirmed dead. Additionally, more than 300 people have been injured, 20 of them seriously. Also read | Powerful earthquake in Japan may have shifted land by 1.3 metres Authorities have warned of landslides and heavy rain in the aftermath of the earthquake. Monday's 7.5-magnitude quake has already caused tsunamis over a metre high, leading to widespread destruction, major fires, and damaged roads. The Noto Peninsula, particularly towns like Wajima and Suzu, suffered significant losses, with buildings getting ravaged by fire and houses flattened. Rescue efforts continue As per AFP, the rescue efforts continue, however, challenges like aftershocks and adverse weather conditions make the situation difficult. The toll is expected to increase as rescuers continue to comb through rubble amid poor weather. The operation is being undertaken as extra urgent due to the Japan Meteorological Agency's (JMA) heavy rain warning in the area. "Be on the lookout for landslides until the evening of Wednesday," it said. Over 31,800 individuals are in shelters, and there's a heightened risk of landslides due to heavy rain, said the government. Stressing the urgency of rescue operations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday said: "More than 40 hours have passed since the disaster. We have received a lot of information about people in need of rescue and there are people waiting for help." Also read | Explained | How does Japan maintain its stoic resilience amid major earthquakes? "Rescue efforts are being made by the local authorities, police, firefighters, and other operational units, while the number of personnel and rescue dogs is enhanced. "However, we ask you to remain fully mindful that we are in a race against time and to continue to do your utmost to save lives, putting people's lives first," said Kishida after an emergency task force meeting. As per the US Geological Survey, the quake had a magnitude of 7.5, while the JMA measured it at 7.6. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan earthquake casualties increase to 62; aftershocks and bad weather aggravate situation