Japan (MNN) ― Rescue efforts in Japan's earthquake have been hampered by severe aftershocks and the threat of floods.
Efforts are being made to drain lakes formed by the recent earthquake. There are concerns that landslides may create a situation where towns downstream could be flooded if the waters burst their banks.
International Mission Board missionaries serving in Japan are asking for prayer for the victims in the wake of Saturday's 7.2-magnitude temblor. It killed at least 11 people and injured more than 250 others.
The quake also buckled roads and collapsed one bridge. This complicated efforts to reach some of the most-affected sites.
Aftershocks were also a major concern to the rescue teams, and officials warned of the possibility of more landslides and flooding.
Despite the damages, authorities acknowledge it could have been far worse. The death toll from the quake was kept low because it hit the rural areas.
No IMB personnel were harmed. The couple serving in Japan live in Miyagi-ken, a city about 50 miles from the earthquake's epicenter in Japan's mountainous Iwate prefecture. Their ministry has not been interrupted.
