Japan winter crisis: Record snow depths trigger national transport paralysis
Lethal winter storms across northern and western Japan have claimed 14 lives and left nearly 200 injured, as local authorities struggle to manage record-breaking accumulations.
Most casualties occurred during hazardous snow removal efforts, where citizens faced fatal falls or became trapped. In the city of Uonuma, snow depths have reportedly surged past 2.7 meters this weekend, effectively halting daily operations.
"They cleared the roads just moments ago, yet the snow has already reclaimed everything," one local resident noted, highlighting the intensity of the blizzard.
Historical records shattered
The city of Aomori recorded over 1.5 meters of snow, marking its highest level since 1945. This extreme weather has blanketed the Sea of Japan coast, severely impacting regions from Niigata in the north to the western prefecture of Kyoto.
Infrastructural collapse
The heavy snowfall has crippled the nation's transport network. Over 1,400 train services were suspended over a three-day period, while approximately 9.000 passengers remained stranded at New Chitose Airport due to flight cancellations.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a standing warning for continued snowfall. Officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution against potential avalanches, roof collapses, and traffic accidents in the coming days.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
