The record snowstorm swept across Japan causing massive casualties

At least 5 people died and more than 600 people were injured in snow-related accidents after a record snowfall swept across eastern Japan on February 8.

Heavy snowfall caused chaotic traffic and more than 70,000 families lost power. This is the record heavy snowfall in the past 50 years.

The Japan Meteorological Agency predicts heavy snowfall in central Tokyo in the next 13 years.

The amount of heavy snow accumulated in Tokyo has now reached 27cm, the thickest level since February 1994 with more than 20cm and the fourth highest since World War II.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warns that snow continues to fall in northeastern Japan until 9 February. Temperatures in many cities in Kanto have dropped to a C level, while snowstorms still occur in Chiba and Kanagawa.

At 0:00 on February 9 (local time), the thickness of snow in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture is 43cm, while in Maebashi City, Gunma and Chiba Prefecture is 32cm, in Yokohama is 16cm and in Nagoya is 5cm.

Besides snow, low pressure also brings high winds in the night of 8/2, wind speed measured in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture is 35.5m / sec and 32.8m / s in Oshima, Tokyo.

Record snowfall caused traffic disturbance. The Tokaido Shinkansen must be delayed for 2 hours while the Tohoku, Joetsu and Nagano lines are delayed by 1 hour, causing nearly 290,000 passengers to be affected.

By the night of February 8, the JR inner railway line, part of the inner city highways continued to stop. Flights from Haneda Airport are also postponed, affecting 98,000 people.

Tokyo Skytree TV Tower, the tallest tower in the world, must be closed at 11 am on the same day due to strong winds.

According to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), due to the effects of snowfall, 71,600 households in Tokyo and provinces such as Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Chiba were temporarily out of power.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings about freezing on roads, causing traffic insecurity.