The outside of Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture (Japan) is white because of snow – Photo: AFP
Record cold temperatures were recorded in some parts of Japan in the past two days. Snowfall was particularly heavy in the provinces facing South Korea, with the city of Maniwa in Okayama Prefecture recording a record 93cm of snow in just 24 hours.
Fearing more snowfall, even in low-lying areas on the Pacific coast, the Japan Meteorological Agency urged the public to be on the lookout for blizzards, rough seas and icy roads.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said one person had died due to heavy snow. Airlines have canceled 450 flights, 490 highway branches have been blocked, and dozens of high-speed rail lines have stopped working because of the snow.
According to Reuters news agency, the heavy snowfall in Japan is related to the cold air mass that has swept many countries before.
At least 124 people died from freezing temperatures in Afghanistan earlier this week. The temperature in Mohe, China’s northernmost city, dropped to a record -53 degrees Celsius on January 23.
In South Korea, the resort island of Jeju canceled nearly 500 flights to and from January 24 because of the harsh winter.
The convoy was stuck on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Mie Prefecture because of heavy snowfall on January 25 – Photo: AFP
The heavy snow not only made cars stuck on the road, but thousands of people were also trapped at train stations and high-speed railways when many trains were canceled – Photo: AFP
Snow covered the dinosaur statue in Fukui prefecture – Photo: AFP
Snow removal at Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture on January 25 – Photo: AFP
The banks of the Kamo River in the ancient capital of Kyoto are sparsely populated because of snowfall and low temperatures – Photo: AFP
People in Toyama Prefecture walk in the snow – Photo: AFP
Snow covers the roofs of apartments, temples and buildings in Nagano – Photo: AFP