A persistent snowstorm in Japan's Niigata Prefecture has significantly disrupted daily life and travel, particularly in Minamiuonuma City.
Residents are grappling with an average of one meter of accumulated snow on many roads, turning the city, a winter tourism hotspot, challenging for both locals and sightseers.
\"If I work quickly, it will take me about an hour to clear all the snow. When there is a large amount of snow, I have to remove it from the roof, which can sometimes take up to three hours,\" said a local resident, highlighting the personal toll of the storm.
The heavy snowfall has not been confined to Niigata alone. Ishikawa Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture have also felt the strain, with a six-kilometer-long traffic jam forming on a central Japan highway.
Meteorological authorities have warned that strong winds, rain, and snow are expected to continue across many parts of Japan. There is an increased risk of secondary disasters such as avalanches and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Reference(s):
Heavy snowstorm brings inconvenience to people's life in Japan
cgtn.com
