Japanese authorities have announced a tragic rise in the death toll from the severe weather that has been battering the country. Heavy and continuous snowfall over nearly three weeks has killed 46 people and injured 558 others, some critically. These figures come from the latest data released by the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency, which is closely monitoring the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Details of the White Disaster in the Northern Regions
Snowstorms, which began intensifying in late January, have swept across large areas of northern Japan, bringing daily life to a near standstill. The damage has been particularly severe along the Sea of Japan coast, where massive snowfalls have caused widespread traffic chaos, stranded numerous vehicles, and disrupted train and public transportation services in several prefectures.
Causes of death and associated risks
Police and local officials reported that the vast majority of fatal accidents occurred while residents were attempting to clear snow from their rooftops. The process of "yuki oroshi" (roof clearing) is essential in rural Japan to prevent houses from collapsing under the weight of the snow, but it is fraught with danger, especially for the elderly, who make up a large proportion of the victims, as they fall from great heights or are buried by collapsing blocks of snow.
Geographical and climatic context
Northern and western Japan are known for being among the snowiest regions in the world, due to a climatic phenomenon that occurs when cold, dry winds from Siberia cross the relatively warm waters of the Sea of Japan. This causes the winds to become saturated with moisture and fall as heavy snow upon impact with the Japanese mountains. While Japan is accustomed to such weather, the unusually heavy snowfall this season has posed a significant challenge for emergency services.
The situation in Aomori Prefecture and weather warnings
In Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost regional center, residents are facing extremely harsh conditions, with snow accumulations reaching record levels of 1.3 meters in some residential areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency continues to issue warnings to the public, urging extreme caution and advising against attempting snow removal independently to avoid fatal accidents, as the unstable weather conditions are expected to persist.
