Heavy snow batters parts of northern Japan

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Heavy snowfall hit parts of northern Japan on Monday, with at least one casualty reported in a traffic accident.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said heavy snow disrupted air, road, and railway traffic on the northern island of Hokkaido.

It warned that the region will witness more snowfall and heavy winds until tomorrow, Kyodo News reported.

Around 140 flights to and from the region were cancelled, along with 1,100 trains, accounting for some 90% of the average daily train services in the region, the report said.

Police reported a traffic accident involving several vehicles on an expressway in Hokkaido.

At least eight people were rushed to hospital and one of them was confirmed to have died, the report added.

According to rescue workers, heavy snow and wind “created extremely poor visibility conditions, or a whiteout, at the site.”