Tokyo, Feb 6 (EFE).- Heavy snowfall in Tokyo and other areas of central Japan caused transport suspension on some of the main lines of the capital and power cuts on Tuesday.
A passerby walks on a snow covered street in Tokyo, Japan, early 06 February 2024. EFE/EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
The low-pressure front in the area since Monday caused cancellations on some sections of the Chuo, Ome and Joetsu lines, operator East Japan Railway said, adding that it expected service to return to normal around noon on Tuesday.
Several express trains that connect the capital with Yamanashi prefecture were stuck on the platforms due to falling trees and other obstacles, according to the public broadcaster NHK.
Other train lines were also experiencing cancellations in northern Tokyo and operators of these services asked passengers to check weather conditions before leaving home.
On Monday night, as the snow began to fall more heavily, two trains on Tokyo’s Yurikamome line got stuck in the snow near Shiodome Station and about 550 passengers had to walk along the elevated tracks to the station, although service had been recovered Tuesday.
The snow storm caused the cancellation of 31 domestic flights to or from the capital’s two airports, Haneda and Narita, on Tuesday, according to Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, which had canceled another 68 on Monday.
Likewise, the operators of several of the main highways that cross the center of the country maintained closures on large sections of these roads at least until Tuesday afternoon, including the capital highway, the Tomei, the Kanetsu and the Tokyo outer ring road, NHK said.
The objective of these closures is to prevent vehicle traffic from slowing down and getting trapped in the snow.
Tokyo Electric Company said some 3,100 homes remained without electricity as of 8.30 am Tuesday (23:30 GMT Monday) in Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Saitama and Tokyo prefectures.
The snowfall had passed its peak this Tuesday and it is expected that the snow will melt in the next few hours due to rain, although the authorities have asked for caution due to possible traffic interruptions and icy roads, and are asking that unnecessary or non-essential outings be avoided and for chains to be used. EFE
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