Heavy snowfall that has blanketed northern Japan over the past two weeks has triggered a national emergency. As of Wednesday, government officials reported at least 35 people dead from various incidents related to the extreme weather. This tragedy is a reminder of how deadly this winter has been for people in the affected areas.
Most of the deaths were reported to have occurred in accidents while residents were trying to clear the snow that had covered their homes. Many victims suffered sudden heart attacks due to extreme physical exhaustion, while others died after slipping from the roofs of buildings or being buried by snow that had slid from high places.
To date, 15 prefectures have been directly affected by the storm. In some of the worst-hit areas, snowdrifts have reportedly reached fantastic heights of around 2 meters.
Niigata Prefecture, known as a major rice-producing area in northern Japan, recorded the highest death toll with 12 fatalities. One tragic incident involved a man in his 50s who was found dead on the roof of his house in the city of Uonuma. Meanwhile, in the city of Nagaoka, an elderly man was found lying in front of his house and was pronounced dead at the hospital after allegedly falling while sweeping snow from the roof.
In response to this situation, Japanese Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara issued a stern warning to the public. “Please pay close attention to your safety, wear a helmet or safety harness, especially when you are working to clear snow,” Kihara said at a press conference in front of the media.
The government also highlighted new dangers that arise when temperatures begin to warm slightly. Although the sun is starting to appear, melting snow actually increases the risk of landslides and makes roads very slippery. The government urged residents not to let their guard down even though the snowstorm appears to be subsiding in some locations.
In addition to fatalities, 393 people across Japan have been injured, with 126 of them suffering serious injuries. Physical damage has also begun to appear, with 14 houses reported to have suffered severe damage due to excessive snow load or being hit by landslide material. Special task forces have been deployed in Akita, Yamagata, and Niigata prefectures to speed up evacuations and clear logistics routes.
Although the exact cause of this extremely heavy snowfall is still being investigated, Japanese authorities note that winter accidents are nothing new. Last year alone, 68 lives were lost during the winter. With weather forecasts predicting heavy snowfall again this coming weekend, residents are asked to stay indoors unless there is an urgent need to go out.
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