Heavy snow in large swaths of Japan has killed 17 and injured more than 110 people and left hundreds of homes without power, disaster management officials said Monday.
Severe snowfall has been hitting northern and western Japan since December 17. Many people have died or got injured after falling from the roof, while removing snow, or getting buried underneath snow sliding off rooftops.
Winter storm has continued through Monday, with snow piling up higher than 160 centimeters (5.2 feet) in some areas. Heavy snow has led to power outages across the country, leaving around 1,000 households in the prefecture of Niigata alone without power for over a week.
Powerful winter fronts have dumped heavy snow in northern regions since last week, stranding hundreds of vehicles on highways, delaying delivery services and causing 11 deaths by Saturday. More snowfall over the Christmas weekend brought the number of dead to 17 and injured to 110 by Monday morning, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Many of them had fallen while removing snow from the roofs or were buried underneath thick piles of snow sliding off rooftops.
Municipal offices in the snow-hit regions urged residents to use caution during snow removal activity and not to work alone.
The disaster management agency said a woman in her 70s was found dead buried underneath a thick pile of rooftop snow that suddenly fell on her in Yamagata prefecture’s Nagai City, about 300 kilometers (180 miles) north of Tokyo, where snow piled up higher than 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) Saturday.
In Niigata, known for rice growing, some makers of mochi, or sticky rice cakes that are staple for New Year’s celebration meals, said there have been delivery delays and their mochi may not reach their customers in time.
Many parts of northeastern Japan reported three times their average snowfall for the season.
Heavy snow knocked down an electric power transmission tower in Japan’s northernmost main island, leaving about 20,000 homes without power on Christmas morning, though electricity was restored in most areas later that day, according to the economy and industry ministry.
Dozens of trains and flights were also suspended in northern Japan through Sunday, but services have since mostly resumed, according to the transportation ministry.
A strong winter pressure pattern around Japan has brought heavy snow to areas from Hokkaido through Kyushu. Caution is advised against traffic disruption as well as icy roads.
Heavy snow fell from Thursday through Saturday, mainly in mountainous regions. Some flatland areas, such as the cities of Nagoya and Kochi, have also seen snow accumulation.
Periods of snowy weather since December 17 have caused snow to accumulate more than three times the level of an average year in some areas, especially in the mountainous regions along the Sea of Japan.
Parts of Japan, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast, have been hit by heavy snow due to a winter pressure pattern. People removing snow from rooftops should exercise caution.
Meteorological Agency officials say snow in some areas since December 17 has accumulated at levels far above average.
As of 8 a.m. on Monday, 1.72 meters of snow had accumulated in Yamagata Prefecture's Ohkura Village, 1.55 meters in Hokkaido's Otoineppu Village and 1.28 meters in Niigata Prefecture's Uonuma City.
Officials say the period of heavy snowfall has peaked, but the winter pressure pattern remains. It is expected to bring intermittent snow to mountainous areas in northern and eastern Japan.
Drivers are advised to be on the alert for traffic disruptions and icy roads.
Officials have also warned about the possibility of avalanches in areas with high snow accumulation.
A series of fatal accidents related to snow removal has been reported in Japan.
People are advised to exercise caution when clearing snow from rooftops. They should wear safety harnesses and not work alone.
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