Record snowfall has hit Japan’s main northern island of Hokkaido, disrupting traffic, causing airport closures, and delaying cargo deliveries, Associated Press reported.
The Hokkaido prefectural government said record snowfalls were seen particularly in the eastern parts of the island, including Obihiro and Kushiro, whose city offices received dozens of calls for help from drivers whose cars had stalled in the snow.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said two powerful low-pressure systems are moving in on either side of the Japanese archipelago, sending cold air into the region. The agency forecast up to 100 centimeters of snow in northwestern Japan and another 50 centimeters in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours through Wednesday evening.
The prefecture said parts of highways and major roads are closed and train services have been suspended in the affected areas.
About 370 schools across Hokkaido canceled classes Tuesday, according to the prefecture. The snowfall also caused post offices and other delivery services to close, delaying deliveries across Hokkaido and to destinations across Japan.