Unprecedented Snowfall in Japan Claims 30 Lives
Japan has been grappling with an extraordinary amount of snowfall recently, which has unfortunately led to the loss of 30 lives in the last fortnight. The victims include a 91-year-old woman who was tragically discovered under 300cm (118 inches) of snow outside her residence.
Government Calls in Troops
The severity of the snowfall has compelled the government to mobilize troops to aid in the hardest-hit areas. The government's decision to deploy the military was made on Tuesday.
Safety Warnings Issued
Citizens have been cautioned about potential avalanches and falling snow from rooftops. Power outages have also been predicted in the areas most affected by the snowfall.
Record-breaking Snow Accumulation
Aomori, a city in the northern part of Japan, recorded 175cm (about 69 inches) of snow on the ground as of Tuesday. This is more than twice the average amount usually seen at this time of the year. On Monday, the city noted a snow accumulation of 183cm (72 inches) in some areas, shattering a 40-year record of 181cm (71 inches) set in 1986.
Military Assistance Requested
The Governor of Aomori, Soichiro Miyashita, has requested military aid for disaster relief, especially for the elderly. Many of the seniors live alone and require assistance in removing the snow. He emphasized the imminent threat of life-threatening accidents, such as falling snow from rooftops or building collapses, during a recent press conference.
Several other cities also reported a minimum snow accumulation of 135cm (53 inches).
Death Toll Rises
From the start of this heavy snowfall period until Tuesday, 30 people have tragically lost their lives, as per the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
On Monday, it was reported that the northwestern region of Niigata, facing the Sea of Japan, had the highest number of deaths at 12. This was followed by six deaths in Akita in northern Japan, three in the northernmost region of Hokkaido, two in Aomori, and one each in four other prefectures.
Officials from Niigata reported that two men who were removing snow on Sunday were tragically swept away in a snow disposal waterway. Other victims seem to have fallen off roofs or passed away unexpectedly while at work or during breaks.
Injuries and Illnesses
Along with the fatalities, there are reports of 290 people sustaining injuries, some of them serious, due to incidents related to the snow.
Unusual Weather Patterns
The meteorological agency has noted that some regions of the country are experiencing more than double the usual volumes of snow. This is due to a cold air mass from the Arctic lingering over the Japanese islands.
Impact on Upcoming Elections
It remains uncertain how this extreme snowfall will affect the parliamentary elections scheduled for the coming Sunday.