This photo taken on Jan 4, 2024 shows rubble of a renowned morning market in Wajima city of the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

TOKYO — The number of people currently unaccounted for surged to 323 in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa as of 9:00 am local time on Monday, one week after a series of earthquakes of up to 7.6 magnitude struck the prefecture and its vicinity, local media reported.

Meanwhile, the death toll has climbed to 168 in the prefecture and at least 565 people suffered injuries, according to national broadcaster NHK.

As of 6:00 am local time on Monday, snow accumulation in Ishikawa prefecture had reached 13 centimeters in Suzu, 11 centimeters in Nanao and nine centimeters in Wajima

The strongest temblor, officially named the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, is classified as a reverse fault earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 by a government panel, and intermittent aftershocks are hampering recovery support to the affected areas.

READ MORE: Japan quake: Death toll rises to 73 as aftershocks hinder rescue

A cold air mass has been bringing snow to Ishikawa prefecture and other parts of the Hokuriku region as well as Niigata prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

As of 6:00 am local time on Monday, snow accumulation in Ishikawa prefecture had reached 13 centimeters in Suzu, 11 centimeters in Nanao and nine centimeters in Wajima.

READ MORE: Japan quake toll rises to at least 81, rescuers race against time

The weather agency urged people in the disaster-hit areas to take extra caution with quake-damaged buildings that could collapse under the weight of the snow and to stay warm to prevent hypothermia amid severe cold.