In Pictures

Japan’s newest storm proves deadly

Hokkaido’s record snowfall this winter could mean more problems this spring

Historical winter for Japan — In some locations across Hokkaido snow was reported to being up to 5 metres high.

This past weekend’s blizzard across northern Japan could be the worst they’ve seen this winter.

Hokkaido experienced winds of up to 110kph, zero visibility and a wind chill factor well into the minus digits. The winter storm that originated in northern China and continued on across Japan is just one of the many they’ve seen in the last three months.

The storm brought traffic to a standstill on the roads and stranded many. On Sunday alone, nine people were found dead in or near their vehicles.

A mother and her three children died of carbon monoxide poisoning when their vehicle’s exhaust pipe became clogged with snow. In the same town another woman was found frozen to death as it was believed that she tried to walk away from her snowed-in car.

On the tracks, Japan’s famous bullet train derailed because of the heavy snow. There were no injuries on board and passengers were safely guided off. Because of deep drifts on the rails, the train’s driver had slowed it down significantly and probably saved many lives.

In the higher regions of Hokkaido, residents are saying they have never seen so much snow in their lifetimes. Walls of snow up to 5 metres, reaching as high as power lines, are a huge concern to many because the spring thaw could cause this record snow to melt causing devastating floods.

Searching for the stranded — Unable to leave their vehicles, travellers have been stranded on the highways. Poisonous carbon monoxide from running engines have killed several families this weekend.

Stranded — While heavy snow is common for Hokkaido, this winter has been unprecedented with strong storms being weekly occurrences over northern Japan.

Checking car by car for survivors — A very difficult task, but when a car is empty after these severe conditions have occurred, a search for the passengers then begins. Hypothermia is being blamed on many of the deaths.

Derailed — This bullet train derailed on Saturday evening on the Akita Shinkansen Line because of bad weather. Luckily no one was inured.

Disaster averted — A much slowed down voyage, because of the deep snow on the tracks, saved hundreds of life.

An investigation begins — Railway workers and investigators inspect the bullet train the morning after it derailed in Daisen, Akita prefecture. The train has had an extremely safe record since 1964.