Jan 30 (V7N) - Japanese authorities have urged around 1.2 million residents in Saitama Prefecture to cut back on water usage, including showers and laundry, as rescuers struggle to save a truck driver trapped in a massive sinkhole.

The sinkhole suddenly appeared in Yashio during Tuesday morning’s rush hour, swallowing the 74-year-old driver’s lorry. The unstable ground, compounded by a second, larger hole forming nearby, has made rescue efforts increasingly difficult.

Rescue teams are facing additional hurdles as water continues to seep into the hole. Officials fear excess wastewater from homes could worsen the situation by overwhelming the sewage system.

"Prioritizing the person's life, we are asking residents to refrain from non-essential water use, such as taking a bath or doing laundry," a Saitama prefecture official told AFP. While toilet use is unavoidable, authorities have asked residents to minimize water consumption as much as possible.

In a public statement, officials warned that polluted water could overflow, potentially complicating the rescue operation. Some sewage water has already been diverted into a nearby river as a temporary measure.

Rescuers have had no contact with the driver since early Tuesday afternoon and are working around the clock to reach him. The initial sinkhole, estimated to be 10 meters wide and six meters deep (33 feet by 20 feet), has since merged with another cavity.

"At around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, the two holes became one. With the risk of another landslide or road collapse, we've been unable to use heavy machinery," a fire department official said.

With conditions deteriorating, authorities continue to assess alternative strategies to stabilize the area and complete the rescue.

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