Snowstorm leaves 19 dead, causes transport chaos in Japan



National Route 18 that runs through Gunma and Nagano prefectures north of Tokyo is still partly closed, with cars stuck along several kilometres due to the heavy snow.

Members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces have also stepped in to help.

"Efforts to remove snow from the roads are continuing with Self-Defense Forces servicemen working from 7:00 am this morning," said an official at the Karuizawa ski resort in Nagano prefecture.

The transportation ministry and municipal governments are delivering emergency aid to drivers of stuck cars, officials said.

Snow began falling Friday morning in the capital Tokyo and had piled up to 26 centimetres by early Saturday, a week after the heaviest snowfall in decades left 11 people dead and more than 1,200 injured across the nation.

Most snow in the capital had melted, but forecasters predict more snow again in the region around Tokyo later this week.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

snowstorm , Japan , weather , storms ,

   

Next In Regional

Mt Ruang: Last eruptions before Wednesday occurred in 2002, 1949
Thailand drops joint patrols with Chinese police after public backlash
Cops on the hunt for cable thieves in Ayer Hitam
Najib wanted to answer questions on money laundering in court, says investigating officer
Hearing for Siti Bainun's appeal against conviction postponed to Jan 30 next year
Biker ambushed by a tiger near Gua Musang, lives to tell his tale
Historic day for human rights in Malaysia, says Azalina
Many workers in boycott-hit companies are locals, says Rayer
Two nabbed for launching fireworks at police in Lembah Subang
Federal Court commutes death, natural life jail sentences of 11 convicted for drug trafficking

Others Also Read