8 Dead Due to Heavy Snow Ahead of Christmas in Japan... Damage Concentrated on the East Coast

8 Dead, 45 Injured
Up to 100cm of Snow Expected by Tomorrow

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Heavy snowfall centered on the eastern coastal areas of Japan has caused numerous damages, resulting in more than 50 casualties. While the Hokuriku region, including Niigata and Ishikawa prefectures, is reported to have suffered significant damage, abnormal weather phenomena are occurring frequently, bringing severe cold and heavy snow to various parts of the globe.

According to NHK on the 23rd, the record-breaking snowfall in Japan has resulted in 8 deaths and 45 injuries nationwide as of 8 a.m. NHK reported that 19 people sustained serious injuries, including fractures from falling off ladders during snow removal work, and 26 people suffered minor injuries.

In the Niigata prefecture area, an elderly person over 80 years old died while removing snow from a roof. On the 21st, an elderly man in his 80s in Akita prefecture died after being buried in snow that fell from his home’s roof. A woman in her 20s was found dead inside a car buried in snow. NHK reported that it is presumed she died from carbon monoxide poisoning after the car’s muffler was blocked while she was trying to keep warm inside the car during a power outage caused by the heavy snowfall.

Damage from power outages and flight cancellations is also increasing. In Niigata prefecture, more than 20,000 households have experienced power outages since the 18th, and in Obihiro and Wakkanai cities in Hokkaido, electricity supply was cut off to about 6,000 households. Some flights heading to Niigata and Izumo were canceled. Local streetcars have suspended operations, and JR Hokkaido announced it would suspend 74 train services starting at noon on the same day. Some schools have banned attendance and issued closure orders.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasted that about 100 cm of additional snow would fall in the Hokuriku region by 6 a.m. on the 24th. With the ongoing heavy snowfall expected to cause further damage, authorities have urged citizens to refrain from going outside.

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