熊本県で震度7の大地震、避難生活が続く

Welcome to Japanese Daily News. I'm Maya. Today is July thirtieth. Today's story is a serious one. A powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week, and rescue and relief work is still going on. Let's listen.

Now let's break it down, sentence by sentence.

At around four twenty-seven in the afternoon on July twenty-eighth, a magnitude seven point one earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture. The cities of Uki and Hikawa recorded shaking of intensity seven, the highest level on Japan's scale.

It means to observe and record something, like earthquakes or weather.

In this earthquake, buildings collapsed and furniture fell over. So far, thirty-four people have died, and many more were injured.

It is a polite, gentle way to say that someone has died.

The shaking has continued since the main quake, and aftershocks of intensity one or higher have already topped two hundred seventy.

It means an aftershock — a smaller quake that follows a big one.

Even now, about nine thousand five hundred people are living as evacuees at more than four hundred shelters in the prefecture.

It means evacuation — moving to a safe place.

Water and electricity were hit hard. At least about eighty thousand homes have no running water, and about twelve thousand have no power.

It means the water supply being cut off.

Transport is affected too. The Kyushu bullet train has suspended service after damage was found at more than two hundred spots, including broken rails.

It means to suspend or hold off on something, like train service.

Because of the heat, the government is rushing measures against heatstroke, such as installing simple air conditioners in shelters.

It means heatstroke — illness caused by extreme heat.

The weather agency warns that quakes of similar strength could occur over the next week or so, and is urging caution.

It means to call on people to do something.

Let's listen to the whole story one more time.

Time for a short quiz. Listen and try to answer.

Intensity seven, the highest level on Japan's seismic scale, in the cities of Uki and Hikawa.

About nine thousand five hundred people, at more than four hundred shelters.

That's all for today. On July twenty-eighth, a magnitude seven point one earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, with shaking of intensity seven at its strongest. Thirty-four people have died, and about nine thousand five hundred people are staying in shelters amid intense summer heat, while water and power outages continue and the Kyushu bullet train remains suspended. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Thanks for listening, and see you tomorrow.