Heavy snowfall in Japan has killed 17 people and injured more than 90 in the past 10 days, authorities said Monday.
The west coast of the country mainly, as well as the northern region of Hokkaido, have seen heavy snowfall recently.
Tens of thousands of Hokkaido residents who were without power have now regained power.
A resident shovels snow around a car in a parking lot in Kitami city, Hokkaido prefecture, northern Japan, on Dec. 24, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP)
Several regions, notably the city of Oguni in northern Yamagata Prefecture, saw approximately one meter of snow in the past 24 hours, local media reported.
interrupted services
Since last week, strong winter fronts have caused heavy snowfall in the north, stranding hundreds of cars on the roads and delaying delivery services.
Many deaths occurred as a result of falls while clearing snow from roofs or becoming trapped under thick piles of snow sliding from roofs.
Several areas in northeast Japan reported three times more snowfall than usual for the season.
As of Sunday, dozens of trains and flights in northern Japan have been cancelled. The Ministry of Transport reported that most services have been restored.
The heavy snowfall is expected to stop in the coming days.
