Blizzard Chaos in Japan Today! Extreme 135 Cm Snow Storm Burying Homes in Hokkaido

Описание: Blizzard Chaos in Japan Today! Extreme 135 Cm Snow Storm Burying Homes in Hokkaido

Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is currently grappling with one of the most intense winter weather events in recent history. A "bomb cyclone" originating from the Sea of Okhotsk has funneled frigid Siberian air across the island, dumping unprecedented amounts of powder snow and creating "whiteout" conditions that have effectively isolated several northern communities. In the last 24 hours, the city of Asahikawa and the Sorachi Subprefecture have recorded snow accumulations exceeding 110 centimeters (43 inches), a level rarely seen in such a short window. As the primary gateway to Hokkaido, the airport has seen over 250 flight cancellations today. Despite a fleet of specialized snowplows known as the "Chitose Triplets," visibility dropped below safety minimums. Travelers are urged to check the New Chitose Airport Flight Status before heading to the terminal. Train services, including the "AirPort Express" linking Sapporo to the airport, have been suspended. The Hokkaido Shinkansen is operating at reduced speeds with significant delays. Real-time updates are available on the JR Hokkaido Official Site. The Dodo-Expressway and Sasson Expressway have been closed due to multiple vehicle pile-ups caused by "black ice" and zero-visibility conditions. The Hokkaido Police have issued a directive discouraging all non-emergency travel. As of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Asahikawa has recorded a staggering 135 centimeters (approx. 53 inches) of fresh snowfall within a 36-hour period, paralyzing the city’s logicstics and trapping thousands of residents in their homes. The municipal government of Asahikawa has opened emergency shelters in community centers. However, the primary concern is the city’s elderly population. In the Nagayama and Kagura districts, rescue workers are conducting door-to-door checks to ensure that residents have adequate heating. Tragically, local authorities have confirmed three fatalities since the storm began. Two individuals were found buried under snow that fell from their own rooftops, while a third died of carbon monoxide poisoning after their car's exhaust pipe was blocked by a snowdrift while they were waiting for rescue.


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