A setback

Last night at 11:32pm,  there was a very strong aftershock registering an intensity of 6+ (magnitude 7.4) on land and 7.1/9.0 in the sea just off Fukushima, the fallout of which is significant. Three people are dead and 141 are injured. Power is still out in hundreds of thousands of homes tonight, and similar numbers are without water. Many roads are closed, thus further hampering efforts. Gas stations too. Hospitals are under further strain as caregivers are reaching their limits.
   Factories and other facilities (a garbage processing plant in Sendai for one) were just recovered and ready to resume work, but this earthquake has taken them back to zero again. How frustrating for them and how frightening for everyone. Nearly one month after the first disaster, people were starting to have a feeling of recovery. That feeling was erased last night.
   The jolt was plenty strong at intensity 3 here too - enough to delay any plans for sleep. The house is fine and we are unhurt, but frankly, I am getting tired of these quakes. They do not get any easier - the reverse, in fact.

Despite that, a glowing sliver of moon was shining from above.