The National Police Agency said Sunday that the catastrophic March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami have left 8,133 people dead in Japan by 12:00 local time ( 0300 GMT).

The figure is believed to be further updated. The local police chief in Miyagi Prefecture said the death toll from the powerful earthquake and tsunami will hit 15,000 in the Prefecture alone, according to Kyodo News report.

More than 360,000 evacuees are meeting with cold weather at shelters in 14 prefectures as relief materials like blankets arrived in Japan from overseas.

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.