Record-breaking snowfall fell on Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido, disrupting traffic, causing airport closures and delaying deliveries.
The Hokkaido prefectural government said record-breaking snowfall has been observed especially in the eastern regions of the island, including Obihiro and Kushiro, whose city offices received dozens of calls for help from drivers whose vehicles had stalled in the snow.
The heavy snow and traffic disruptions came just as a popular snow festival began in Sapporo in southern Hokkaido, although the city did not face major disruptions.
Television footage showed residents shovelling snow and passengers pushing vehicles that got stuck. So far, no injuries or major damage have been reported.
In Obihiro, record-breaking snowfall of 129cm (4ft) was detected earlier on Tuesday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said two powerful low-pressure systems are moving on both sides of the Japanese archipelago, sending cold air into the region.
The agency predicted up to 100cm (3.3ft) of snowfall in northwestern Japan and 50cm (1.6ft) more in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours through Wednesday evening.
The prefecture said parts of highways and main roads were closed, and train services in the affected areas were suspended. Runways were closed due to snow at Obihiro and Kushiro airports, while dozens of flights in and out of Hokkaido were cancelled, affecting thousands of people.
About 370 schools cancelled classes on Tuesday across Hokkaido, according to the prefecture.
The snow also caused closures of post offices and other distribution services, delaying deliveries within Hokkaido and to destinations across Japan.
Hokkaido officials called on residents and visitors to carry shovels and warm clothes in their vehicles in case they stalled in the snow.
