Japan issues avalanche warnings after sudden temperature rise, as extreme snowfall claims 35 lives and causes nearly 400 injuries nationwide.
TOKYO: Japan has warned of possible avalanches in its northern regions following a sudden temperature rise after two weeks of extreme snowfall.
The sustained snow since late January has buried communities like Aomori under drifts of around two metres, paralysing traffic and collapsing houses.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki urged caution at a press briefing. “We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches,” he said.
By Wednesday, the extreme weather had killed 35 people and caused 393 injuries across the country since January 20, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Many casualties involve snow falling from houses or people tumbling from roofs while trying to clear it.
The temperature rose to 8C in Aomori on Wednesday, increasing the risk of heavy, wet snow dropping from rooftops.
Aomori’s accumulated snow on the ground fell below 1.6 metres for the first time in four days, but traffic chaos continued.
Television images showed residents walking along narrow paths carved between massive walls of snow standing twice as high as people.
In the Niigata region, a man was found dead on Tuesday at his collapsed house under heavy snow.
Another man died after his garage caved in, according to Fuji Television.
The government has deployed troops to help clear huge drifts in northern regions.
Weather forecasters warn that cold weather will return from the weekend, bringing further snow to northern cities.
