Heavy Snow in Northern Japan Causes Vehicle Stranding and Other Damages... "2m Snowfall Recorded on the 3rd"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Record-breaking heavy snowfall centered around Gunma Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture in central northern Japan has resulted in a snow accumulation of up to 2 meters over three days, NHK reported on the 17th. The heavy snow caused numerous vehicles in operation to become stranded on the roads.

According to the report, as of 11 a.m. on the day, the snow accumulation in Fujiwara, Gunma Prefecture, was 2m 3cm, and in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture, it was 1m 82cm. NHK stated, "Heavy snow is falling due to strong cold air in the upper atmosphere and the influence of winter-type pressure systems," adding, "The snow is expected to weaken going forward, but snowfall will intensify again from the night of the 18th through the 19th."

Due to this heavy snowfall, normal traffic became impossible on many roads in Niigata and Gunma Prefectures starting from the night of the 16th. In Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, where the snow accumulation reached 2 meters, snow removal operations are being urgently carried out, but the large amount of snow is causing difficulties, NHK reported.

On the Kan-Etsu Expressway, which runs from Tokyo through Saitama and Gunma Prefectures to Niigata Prefecture, vehicles became stranded and unable to move on a 15 km section covered by heavy snow until the morning of the 17th. NHK reported that approximately 500 vehicles on the downbound lane and 450 vehicles on the upbound lane appear to be stranded on this road.

In particular, in Niigata Prefecture, vehicles were stranded and unable to move on the expressway. Japanese fire authorities stated that some stranded drivers reported poor physical condition and were urgently transported to hospitals. The fire authorities urged people not to go out unnecessarily by car in areas experiencing heavy snowfall.

NHK reported that a heavy snowfall countermeasures headquarters was established at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center on the morning of the day to collect information and monitor the situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.