Wajima (Japan) (AP/PTI): Rescue teams worked through snow to deliver supplies to isolated hamlets, six days after a powerful earthquake hit western Japan, killing at least 126 people. Heavy snowfall expected in Ishikawa Prefecture later Sunday and through the night added to the urgency.
After Monday's 7.6 magnitude temblor, 222 people were still unaccounted for, and 560 people were injured. Hundreds of aftershocks have followed, rattling Noto Peninsula, where the quakes are centred.
Taiyo Matsushita walked three hours through mud to reach a supermarket in Wajima city to buy food and other supplies for his family. The home where he lives with his wife and four children, and about 20 nearby homes, are among the more than a dozen communities cut off by landslides.
Power was out, and in a matter of hours, they couldn't even use their cell phones, he told Jiji Press.
"We want everyone to know help isn't coming to some places," Matsushita was quoted as saying by Jiji Press. "We feel such an attachment to this community. But when I think about my children, it's hard to imagine we can keep living here."
Late Saturday, a woman in her 90s was rescued from a crumbled home in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, after 124 hours trapped in the rubble. She was welcomed by shouts of encouragement, although the darkness and a long blue sheet of plastic blocked her from view.
Chances for survival greatly diminish after the first 72 hours.
Ishikawa officials say 1,370 homes were completely or partially destroyed. Many of the houses in that western coastal region of the main island are aging and wooden. Cars lay tossed on cracked, bumpy roads. Snow blanketed the debris and highways. Wires dangled from lopsided poles.
The more than 30,000 people who evacuated to schools, auditoriums and community facilities slept on cold floors. They trembled in fear through the aftershocks. They prayed their missing loved ones were safe. Others cried softly for those who had died.
Some people were living out of their cars, and long lines formed at gas stations. Food and water supplies were short. Worries grew about snow and rainfall, which raise the risk of mudslides and further damage, as snow collecting on roofs can flatten barely standing homes.
A fire that raged for hours gutted a major part of Wajima, and a tsunami swept through homes, sucking cars down into muddy waters.
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Several users on ‘X’ on Thursday and Friday shared claims that LPG cylinders booked at 11:45 AM were being delivered within just two hours, prompting humorous and curious reactions online.
Booked an Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Shashi Kumar (@iShashiShekhar) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
Meanwhile netizens quickly responded to the sudden similar bookings by many users.
One ‘X’ user tweeted, “Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11:45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1:30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges. I asked the delivery guy if there was any shortage. His reply was negative. This copy is circulating 👇.”
Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Govind Pratap Singh | GPS (@govindprataps12) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
ये वाली कॉपी घूम रही है 👇 pic.twitter.com/DG7KkxuQxw
Another user questioned the timing, asking, “How can all book at the same time?” while a separate post wondered, “Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM?”
Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM ? #Lol
— Paritosh Vyas 🇮🇳 (@paritosh2608) March 13, 2026
Many netizens joked about the posts. One wrote, “Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinders at 11:45 AM, and surprisingly it’s getting delivered in two hours. IT cell has some special gas agency. Is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?”
Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinder at 11.45 am and surprisingly it getting delivered in 2 hours.
— Prashant Kanojia (@KanojiaPJ) March 13, 2026
IT cell has some special gas agency.
is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?
pic.twitter.com/2T3NI3qjtk
One urged, “Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too,” sharing a photo of people standing in ques.
Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too https://t.co/BUekztabvK pic.twitter.com/lRknSuQreI
— URScrewed 🇬🇧 (@URScrewed_) March 13, 2026
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 2 30 pm without any extra cash or charges.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. He replied Nope.
Then I woke up.
“Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM. I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM,” wrote another.
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM.
— Essai Ennai (@SiniiMayo) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM.
One user asked, “What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM?” while another tweeted, “I am going to book a gas cylinder at 11:45 AM tomorrow, hope Modi Ji will deliver it by 1:30.”
What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM? pic.twitter.com/jZqEzNdCGo
— SMMH-SAB MOH MAYA HAI (@EliteCricket10) March 13, 2026
“I want to ask one thing… If I book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11:45 AM and the gas agency is unable to deliver it by 1:30 PM, will it be free like Domino’s pizza, or will I get it at some discounted price? BJP IT Cell experts, please confirm so that I can book my LPG cylinder tomorrow exactly at 11:45 AM,” said another humorously.
I want to ask one thing if...
— शाकाल (@real_shakaal) March 13, 2026
"I'll Book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11.45 AM and if Gas Agency will unable to deliver the LPG Cylinder at my doorstep by 1.30 PM tomorrow".
Will it be free like Dominos Pizza or i'll get it on some discounted price?
BJP IT Cell experts please… pic.twitter.com/UEBoBwVNNw
