A snowstorm disrupts transportation routes in and around Tokyo

A snowstorm that has affected Tokyo and surrounding regions since Thursday has caused the cancellation of more than a hundred domestic flights, as well as interruptions of dozens of railway lines and road transport.

The heavy snowfall that will continue until Friday could exceed 30 centimeters in the center of the archipelago and 20 centimeters in western areas of the Japanese capital, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), which blamed the storm on an atmospheric pressure front. low and cold air.

The meteorological agency warned of the formation of ice sheets on the roads, possible detachment of ice and snow from buildings and the risk of power outages.

In central areas of the Japanese capital, where heavy snowfalls are not common, an accumulation of up to 10 centimeters of snow is expected until early Friday morning.

Some 169 domestic flights to or from Tokyo’s Haneda airport have been canceled due to the storm, as have some 70 rail services, including some high-speed rail services, connecting Tokyo with Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures.

Several sections of the metropolitan highway that bypasses Tokyo have also been closed in anticipation of snow accumulation, according to local authorities, who also warn of possible additional closures of road connections in the coming hours.

The Tokyo government has recommended that citizens work from home and avoid non-essential travel due to the storm, while the central executive has formed a disaster prevention group to monitor the situation, according to executive spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno. at a press conference.

“In areas where it doesn’t snow frequently, even a small amount of snow can disrupt road transport, cause traffic jams or accidents,” Matsuno said, adding that the government “will take all necessary measures to prevent incidents.” (I)