Snowfall in Japan causes at least 30 fatalities nationwide

Japanese Government Deploys Troops to Assist Residents Amid Heavy Snowfall

The Japanese government has deployed troops to assist residents in affected areas due to record-breaking snowfall. As of Tuesday, the northern city of Aomori had 175cm of snow accumulated on the ground, exceeding the average for this time of year by more than double.

According to officials, at least 30 people have died as a result of the heavy snowfall since January 20. The deaths include a 91-year-old woman who was found buried under 300cm of snow outside her home. Authorities have warned residents to be aware of avalanches and accumulated snow falling from rooftops.

The government has also cautioned that power outages are possible in the hardest-hit areas. Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita has requested military assistance, particularly for elderly residents who may need help clearing snow due to their isolation.

Several other cities have reported significant snow accumulation, with at least 135cm of snow recorded in some areas. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has confirmed the deaths, which include 12 in Niigata prefecture, six in Akita prefecture, three in Hokkaido, two in Aomori, and one each in four other prefectures.

In addition to the fatalities, 290 people have suffered injuries due to snow-related incidents. The meteorological agency has attributed the heavy snowfall to a cold air mass from the Arctic lingering over the Japanese archipelago.

The government is holding a special cabinet-level meeting on Tuesday to address the situation and prevent further deaths and accidents.

Source: Al Jazeera