by BERNAMA / pic credit: aa.com.tr
TOKYO – The number of people who have died as a result of heavy snowfall in Japan has gone up to 10, while over 300 people have been injured, reported Sputnik news agency.
Four of the deaths were reported in Niigata Prefecture; 148 people were injured there, broadcaster NHK said on Tuesday. In Fukui Prefecture, 64 people were injured.
In Toyama Prefecture, where a record of over 100 centimetres of snowfall was reported for the first time in 35 years, two people died while another 91 were injured.
One person died and 38 were wounded in Ishikawa Prefecture and another two people were injured in Gifu.
Northern and western regions of Japan were hit by heavy snowfall last week. Major traffic disruptions have been reported in various regions and multiple flights have been canceled. Supply routes and train services have also been affected.
Most of the injuries reported amid the record snowfall have occurred due to falls, while the reported deaths predominantly happened as people tried to clear the rooftops of snow.