Eight die, 45 injured as snow batters Japan

Tokyo: Eight people have died while 45 others sustained injuries in Japan due to intermittent heavy snowfall that began last Saturday, according to media reports.   

Reports citing the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications stated that the death toll in snow rose to eight in Japan as of 8:00 am on Friday. 

Four dead and 23 injured were previously reported.

Heavy snowfall hit northern and western Japan earlier this week. There were interruptions in electricity, cellular communications, delays in rail communications. 

As snowfall wreaked havoc in Japan, 20-30 kilometers of traffic jams occurred on the roads—taking about three days to clear them.

According to the forecasts of meteorologists, new heavy snowfalls will fall on the northern and western regions from December 23 (today). 

In the meantime, authorities have directed citizens in regions with heavy snowfall not to leave their homes unnecessarily, and to meet their water and food needs in advance.