Weather officers in Japan predicted extra heavy snow Thursday, a day after almost 800 autos have been trapped for hours on an expressway in central Japan.
The 6-kilometer (4-mile) site visitors jam occurred after two trailers bought caught within the snow Wednesday, forcing troopers to return in and assist free the autos.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency stated as a lot as 60 centimeters (24 inches) of snow might fall within the Tohoku area by way of Friday, in response to Japan’s Kyodo information company, with heavy snow additionally anticipated on the northern island of Hokkaido and in different areas.
ALSO READ | China landslide: Death toll rises to 39, 5 individuals nonetheless lacking
The site visitors jam occurred on the Meishin Expressway in Gifu prefecture. Two kids in a stranded automobile turned sick and have been taken to a hospital, Kyodo reported.
The Central Nippon Expressway Co. closed the street and mobilized snowplows and tow vehicles to clear the stranded autos, whereas delivering snacks, consuming water and moveable bogs for these trapped. The Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan’s military, dispatched troops to hitch reduction efforts on the request of the governor of Gifu.
Cold air from the west fashioned a chilly entrance that brought about heavy snow to fall in Japan’s north-central area. The extreme climate additionally led to accidents in quite a few places.