Japanese soldiers and fleets of snow plows struggled Tuesday to clear record-breaking snow that has buried cities in the northern and western regions, as the death toll from winter storms rose to 30.
Japan is known for some of the world’s heaviest snowfall, making it a popular winter sports destination, but this year’s severe weather could affect turnout in Sunday’s general elections—the first to be held in midwinter in 36 years.
Self-Defence Forces troops were deployed to assist authorities in Aomori, where nearly 2 meters (7 feet) of snow have piled up—the highest accumulation in four decades.
In Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, around 1,000 snow plows worked to clear 3,800 kilometers (2,300 miles) of roads, broadcaster Nippon TV reported.
The heavy snowfall temporarily forced the closure of Hokkaido’s main airport last week, stranding hundreds of passengers, while also delaying trains, closing highways, and disrupting other travel.
Since January 20, more than 100 people nationwide have been seriously injured in snow-related incidents, while 30 have died, according to Japan’s disaster management agency. Although the agency did not provide details on the deaths, domestic media reports indicate that many resulted from falls from rooftops as residents attempted to clear massive snowdrifts.