TOKYO: Record snow hitting southern Tohoku Prefecture, Niigata, and other areas north of Tokyo have left vehicles stranded on roads, caused electricity outages, and disrupted transportation systems, the weather agency of Japan and local media reported on Tuesday.
Weather officials said vehicles are stranded in heavy snow on highways in Niigata Prefecture. Local media reported that the Self-Defense Forces were enlisted to cope with the situation.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that as of 11 a.m. (0200 GMT), the amount of snowfall had exceeded three times the seasonal average in some parts, with 1.87 meters recorded in Niigata Prefecture and 2.24 meters recorded in one village in Yamagata Prefecture.
Authorities reported traffic jams on major affected roads and highways in these regions that have received a record level of snowfall are set to continue.
Snowfall causes electricity outages
In the wee hours of Tuesday, about 800 vehicles were stranded on roads and highways in Niigata’s Kashiwazaki, with the heavy snowfall also causing electricity outages and disrupting some train services.
East Japan Railway Co. said it halted several local services starting from early Tuesday morning’s first planned departures.
The weather agency said that icy conditions are expected to hit again from Thursday, and alerts for strong winds, blizzards, and heavy snowfall may be issued owing to a winter pressure system mixing with an influx of cold air. – Xinhua/APP
