The most important variety of snow-related fatalities, at 12 individuals, was reported in Niigata Prefecture, a rice-growing area in northern Japan. File
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Heavy snow battering northern Japan within the final two weeks has been blamed in 35 deaths nationwide thus far, together with individuals struggling sudden coronary heart assaults or slipping whereas shoveling snow, authorities officers mentioned Wednesday (February 4, 2026).
As of Wednesday (February 4, 2026), 15 prefectures have been affected, with the quantity of snow piled up within the worst hit areas estimated to have reached two meters (6.5 ft).
The most important variety of snow-related fatalities, at 12 individuals, was reported in Niigata Prefecture, a rice-growing area in northern Japan, together with a person in his 50s who was discovered collapsed on the roof of his dwelling in Uonuma metropolis on Jan. 21.
In Nagaoka metropolis, a person in his 70s was noticed collapsed in entrance of his dwelling and rushed to the hospital the place he was pronounced useless. He’s believed to have fallen from the roof whereas raking snow, in response to the Niigata authorities.
Japan’s chief authorities spokesperson warned that, though the climate was getting hotter, extra hazard may lie forward as a result of snow would begin melting, leading to landslides and slippery surfaces.
“Please do pay shut consideration to your security, sporting a helmet or utilizing a lifeline rope, particularly when engaged on clearing snow,” Chief Cupboard Secretary Minoru Kihara advised reporters.
Varied job forces had been arrange to reply to the heavy snow in Niigata and close by areas, which started Jan. 20. Seven snow-related deaths have been reported in Akita Prefecture and 5 in Yamagata Prefecture.
Accidents nationwide numbered 393, together with 126 critical accidents, 42 of them in Niigata. Fourteen properties had been broken, three in Niigata and eight in Aomori Prefecture.
The rationale behind the heavy snowfall is unclear. However deaths and accidents associated to heavy snow should not unusual in Japan, with 68 deaths reported over the six winter months the earlier 12 months, in response to the Fireplace and Catastrophe Administration Company.
Extra heavy snow is forecast for the approaching weekend.
Revealed – February 04, 2026 12:06 pm IST