Storm brings heavy snow falls across Japan by Steph Ball
Road, rail and air services remained disrupted today after heavy snowfalls hit Japan over the weekend. Much of East Asia has been left reeling these last few weeks by a harsh blast of winter. For China it has led to the heaviest snowfall in a century. Over the weekend it was Japan’s turn to suffer as snow and freezing temperatures moved in across the country.
The snow is said to be the heaviest to hit Japan this winter, affecting central and eastern parts of the country. Travel became severely disrupted as the snow closed roads, delayed trains and eventually led to over a hundred flights being cancelled at Tokyo’s Haneda airport. Up to 200 people were reported to have been injured in weather related incidents.
The snow came as a big surprise to Thailand’s football players who had arrived in Tokyo for a World Cup qualifier. More accustomed to tropical heat they woke to blizzards on Sunday morning and were forced to train indoorS.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, up to 3cm of snow (1.2 inches) fell in central Tokyo. Around 5cm (2 inches) is said to have fallen in Yokohama, with as much as 25cm (10inches) in Kawaguchiko city. Further snow falls are expected across the country today.
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