TOKYO – Heavy snowfall across much of Japan has killed 17 people and caused power outages to thousands of homes over the past 10 days, Japanese officials said on Monday.
Much of the country’s west coast and northern areas of Hokkaido have been experiencing heavy snowfall over the past few days.
According to local media, some areas, such as the town of Oguni in northeastern Yamagata Prefecture, have seen nearly one meter of snow fall in 24 hours.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned residents of affected areas to avoid traveling as much as possible after heavy snow left cars stuck on roads.
Government officials said on Monday that 17 people had been killed and dozens injured in the snow since December 17.
State broadcaster NHK reported that a man who fell from the roof while clearing snow and a woman suspected of carbon monoxide poisoning died inside a car.
In Hokkaido, tens of thousands of homes lost power over the past few days after power lines were cut by snow, but most connections have now been restored.
Heavy snow is expected to subside from Monday. -AFPMore
https://www.tnp.sg/news/world/17-die-10-days-heavy-snow-japan 17 dead in 10 days of heavy snow in Japan, latest world news