Snow In East Japan Causes Deaths, Disrupts Traffic
TOKYO (AP) — The second heavy snowfall this month has hit eastern Japan, killing more than 10 people and injuring hundreds, while paralyzing traffic and causing power outages.
Japan's weather agency said Sunday that the low pressure system was traveling north, dumping more snow to the area after passing the Tokyo region.
Media reports say as many as 12 people have died and 1,500 have been injured nationwide since Friday in snow-related accidents.
A shopping arcade roof collapsed in a Tokyo suburb, and two trains collided on slick tracks in nearby Kawasaki. Nearly 20,000 homes lost electricity.
Hundreds of flights and trains were halted. Thousands of drivers and passengers were trapped for hours in traffic jams on highways, prompting transport officials to deliver food and portable toilets in some areas.