Tokyo: Heavy snowfall continues to hit northern Japan, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds injured as extreme winter weather disrupts daily life across several prefectures.
Authorities say at least 30 to 35 people have died in snow related incidents over the past two weeks. Most of the deaths were reported in Niigata prefecture, where many victims fell from rooftops while clearing snow from their homes. Others collapsed or were injured while shoveling snow in freezing conditions.
More than 300 people have been injured in accidents linked to snow removal and icy roads. Emergency services reported that roads were blocked in many towns, cutting off access to hospitals and delaying rescue work in some areas.
Snow has piled up to around two meters in the worst hit regions. Parts of Aomori recorded snowfall far above the seasonal average, with some areas seeing more than 180 centimeters in a single day. Several prefectures including Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Hokkaido and Nagano have also reported casualties.
Weather officials said a strong mass of cold air from the north combined with moist air from the sea has caused the intense snowfall. They warned that conditions may remain dangerous even as temperatures slowly rise. Melting snow could trigger landslides and make roads slippery, increasing the risk of further accidents.
The Japanese government has urged residents, especially elderly people, to avoid climbing onto rooftops alone and to use safety equipment when removing snow. Local authorities have also asked people to check on neighbors and report anyone who may be stranded or in need of help.
Climate experts noted that such extreme winter weather reflects changing weather patterns, with heavier snow in some regions and unusual heat in others.
For now, communities in northern Japan continue to dig out from deep snow while hoping for calmer weather in the days ahead.