OJIYA, Niigata Pref. -- Thousands of stranded people were airlifted Monday from their mountainous communities in the earthquake-hit Chuetsu region of Niigata Prefecture, as the death toll from Saturday's powerful quakes reached 25.
The region continued to suffer from aftershocks, while efforts to restore power and water supplies remained slow.
Authorities meanwhile warned Monday evening against fresh landslides as the region experienced its first rainfall since Saturday's powerful quakes.