News Desk
TOKYO: About 19,000 households on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido were out of power for an unknown reason, citing the electricity regulator, the NHK broadcaster reported on Sunday morning, according to Sputnik.
According to the Hokkaido Electric Power Company, about 13,500 houses were left out of electricity in Mombetsu city, nearly 3,000 homes in Omu city, and around 2,6000 more houses in Okoppe city, the report said.
The reason for the power outage is not determined so far. The Japan Self-Defense Forces were deployed to assist with the ongoing repair work, the NHK broadcaster said.
Severe snowfall in Japan
Local authorities established temporary centers to accommodate residents across the affected cities. People in the affected cities can charge their mobile phones and receive food on the spot.
As of Sunday afternoon, dozens of people have already used this facility. Severe snowfall hit western and northern Japan earlier this week, causing power and network outages, traffic jams, and delays in rail services.
