"Recovery Efforts in Quake-Hit Noto Peninsula Struggle with Sanitation and Water Shortages"

A month after a powerful earthquake hit Japan's west coast, survivors in the Noto peninsula are grappling with freezing temperatures and unsanitary conditions due to the lack of running water, with some areas facing a two-month wait for water restoration. Tens of thousands of homes remain without running water, leading to cramped evacuation centers where respiratory infections and gastroenteritis have been detected. Residents are struggling to maintain hygiene and health, with some resorting to rationing water to stay healthy. The bitter cold and heavy snow are posing additional challenges, but authorities are working to provide relief, including setting up communal water tanks and makeshift public baths.