The National Police Agency said on Thursday that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have left 13,498 people dead and 14,734 others unaccounted for in Japan by 19:00 p. m. local time (1000 GMT).

About 139,000 survivors are staying in 2,300 shelters across the country as one month has passed since the quake and tsunami.

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering enormous tsunami.

Heavy casualties and extensive damage have been caused by the twin disasters.