(Tokyo) Heavy snow hit the Tokyo region on Monday, disrupting trains and grounding more than a hundred flights. Transportation officials advised motorists to avoid non-essential travel.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that snowfall was expected to peak Monday evening, with up to 55 centimeters forecast in mountainous areas north of Tokyo.
Snowfall was much less in central Tokyo, where more than a centimeter was recorded for the first time in two years, according to Kyodo News.
Around 40 people were slightly injured after slipping in the snow, public television NHK reported.
Some train services were limited in the Tokyo area and highways were partially closed, including the Tomei and Metropolitan Expressways.
PHOTO PHILIP FONG, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
A passenger sits on a train stopped at Keio-Horinouchi Station in the western part of Tokyo on February 5.
About 550 passengers on two Yurikamome automatic trains that got stuck between two stations had to walk to the next stop, NHK reported.
More than 100 domestic flights and several international flights to and from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport were canceled as of Monday afternoon, according to the airport.
More than 14,000 homes in Tokyo and five neighboring prefectures were without power, likely because of the snow, according to Tokyo Electric Power Co.
The Ministry of Land Planning, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has asked motorists to avoid non-essential travel and use winter tires or tire chains.