Heavy Snowfall in Japan, Cars Trapped on Expressway
Weather officials in Japan have predicted more heavy snow, after nearly 800 vehicles were trapped for hours on an expressway in central Japan.
The 6-kilometer traffic jam happened after two trailers got stuck in the snow on January 24, forcing soldiers to come in and help free the vehicles.
The traffic jam occurred on the Meishin Expressway in Gifu prefecture. Two children in a stranded vehicle became sick and were taken to a hospital, according to Kyodo.
The Central Nippon Expressway Co. closed the road. Snowplows and tow trucks were also sent to clear the stranded vehicles, while delivering snacks, drinking water and portable toilets for those affected.
The Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan's army, dispatched troops at the request of the governor of Gifu.
Cold air from the west formed a cold front that caused heavy snow to fall in Japan's north-central region. The bad weather also led to accidents in a number of locations.
Japan's Meteorological Agency forecast up to 60 centimeters of snow for the Tohoku region in the 24 hours before Friday morning, with heavy snow also expected on the northern island of Hokkaido and in other areas. In the following 24-hour period, the agency said Tohoku and Hokkaido could see 20-40 centimeters of snow.
The agency has also warned that the weight of the snow might lead to the collapse of buildings weakened by the earthquake on New Year's Day, NHK reported.
Japan is not alone in experiencing increased levels of snow.
South Korean officials issued a cold weather warning for many parts of the country earlier this week. It comes a few weeks after Seoul experienced the heaviest single-day snowfall in over 40 years.
