Home / Disasters and Accidents / Japan Snow Crisis: 46 Dead Amidst Travel Chaos
Japan Snow Crisis: 46 Dead Amidst Travel Chaos
12 Feb
Summary
- Record snowfall led to 46 deaths and over 550 injuries across Japan.
- Heavy snow caused widespread travel disruption, cancelling flights and trains.
- Rising temperatures bring new risks of avalanches, flooding, and falling snow.
A prolonged period of heavy snowfall, lasting nearly three weeks, has caused significant disruption across Japan. The 'disaster-level' snow blast has claimed at least 46 lives and injured over 550 people.
Record accumulations, exceeding 1.8 metres in some areas, have primarily affected northern, central, and western regions. This extreme weather has led to cancelled flights, delayed bullet trains, and blocked roads, severely impacting travel plans.
Many fatalities tragically occurred during snow-removal efforts, with individuals falling from roofs or being struck by falling ice. The situation worsened with the deaths of at least two foreign nationals in snow-related incidents.
As temperatures are forecast to rise from February 13th, the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued critical warnings. There is an elevated risk of avalanches, falling snow and icicles from rooftops, and flooding, particularly in popular tourist and ski areas.
Authorities are urging vigilance, especially in resorts and cities like Aomori. Tourists planning visits are advised to use the JNTO 'Safety Tips' app for real-time alerts on weather and natural disasters. Skiers are also warned of avalanche risks in mountainous regions.
