TOKYO: Heavy snowfall in large swaths of Japan has killed 17 people and injured more than 90, and left hundreds of homes without power, disaster management officials said on Monday.
Since last week, a cold winter has caused heavy snowfall in northern regions, stranded hundreds of vehicles on highways, delayed delivery services and left 11 people dead. Saturday. more snow falls on Christmas weekend bringing the death toll to 17 and injured to 93 as of Monday morning, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Authority. Many of them fell while clearing snow on rooftops or were buried beneath thick piles of snow that slid off the roofs.
City offices in snowfall areas urge residents to exercise caution in snow removal operations and not work alone.
The disaster management agency said a woman in her 70s was found dead buried under a pile of snow on the roof of her house that suddenly fell on her in Nagai city, Yamagata prefecture, about 300 kilometers from Tokyo. north, where snow piled up more than 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) Saturday.
In Niigata, famous for its rice farming, some makers of mochi, or glutinous rice cakes primarily for New Year’s celebrations, reported delays in their deliveries and mochis. may not reach the customer on time.
Many regions in northeastern Japan report three times as much snowfall on average during the season.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Industry, heavy snow knocked down a power transmission tower on Japan’s northernmost main island, leaving about 20,000 homes without power on Christmas morning, although electricity had been restored in most of the country. all areas by the end of the day.
According to the Ministry of Transport, dozens of trains and flights were also suspended in northern Japan until Sunday, but most services have resumed.
Since last week, a cold winter has caused heavy snowfall in northern regions, stranded hundreds of vehicles on highways, delayed delivery services and left 11 people dead. Saturday. more snow falls on Christmas weekend bringing the death toll to 17 and injured to 93 as of Monday morning, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Authority. Many of them fell while clearing snow on rooftops or were buried beneath thick piles of snow that slid off the roofs.
City offices in snowfall areas urge residents to exercise caution in snow removal operations and not work alone.
The disaster management agency said a woman in her 70s was found dead buried under a pile of snow on the roof of her house that suddenly fell on her in Nagai city, Yamagata prefecture, about 300 kilometers from Tokyo. north, where snow piled up more than 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) Saturday.
In Niigata, famous for its rice farming, some makers of mochi, or glutinous rice cakes primarily for New Year’s celebrations, reported delays in their deliveries and mochis. may not reach the customer on time.
Many regions in northeastern Japan report three times as much snowfall on average during the season.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Industry, heavy snow knocked down a power transmission tower on Japan’s northernmost main island, leaving about 20,000 homes without power on Christmas morning, although electricity had been restored in most of the country. all areas by the end of the day.
According to the Ministry of Transport, dozens of trains and flights were also suspended in northern Japan until Sunday, but most services have resumed.
