In the past two weeks, 30 people have died in Japan due to heavy snowfall, authorities reported on Tuesday, according to LETA citing AFP.
The government has deployed military personnel to assist residents of Aomori Prefecture, which has been the hardest hit. In remote areas, the snow depth reaches 4.5 meters.
In recent weeks, coastal areas of the Sea of Japan have experienced an anomalously high amount of snowfall due to the arrival of a cold front — in some places, the amount is twice the norm.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, 30 people have died as a result of heavy snowfall from January 20 to Tuesday.
Among them is 91-year-old Kin Jin. Her body was found under a snow pile near her home in the city of Ajigasawa (Aomori Prefecture), local police reported.
Preliminary data suggests that a mass of snow fell from the roof onto the woman. The cause of death was asphyxiation.
Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita stated on Monday that he has requested assistance from the Japanese military.
He explained that he asked the military to help elderly people living alone who need snow removal.
