OSAKA -- Gas and water supplies remained suspended in some areas in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday, a day after a major quake with its focus in the northern part of the prefecture.
In some areas in the prefecture that sustained serious damage, the quake -- measuring up to lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 -- was followed by many aftershocks.
With aftershocks continuing into Tuesday morning, more than 800 people spent the night at evacuation centers.
Railroad companies mostly resumed regular operations Tuesday, but gas and water supplies were still suspended in some areas in the prefecture.
As of 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, four people had died in Osaka Prefecture and 376 were injured in Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga and Mie prefectures, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
In Kyoto, Osaka and two other prefectures in the Kinki region, 252 houses were partially damaged. In Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, 413 evacuation centers were opened and received 838 evacuees.
Japan Railway's conventional trains and Shinkansen lines as well as private railroad lines resumed their regular operations from the scheduled first train on nearly all sections.
However, West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) suspended all its outbound local train operations between Kyoto and Suita stations on the Tokaido Line for 3-1/2 hours as the rails on a section between Takatsuki and Ibaraki stations were possibly bent.
Water supplies have been suspended in some areas of Takatsuki due to water pipe damage and other reasons. The Takatsuki city government has been investigating the extent of the damage. It is unclear when the water supply will return to normal.
Even in areas where water supply is available, the water remains muddy. It could take several days before the water becomes suitable for drinking, according to the city government.
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