Heaviest snowfall in five years

Tokyo received its heaviest snowfall in five years as nine centimeters of snow fell on the capital on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Cancelled flights in Narita and Haneda left thousands stranded at the airports. Over a hundred Tokyo residents have been injured from slips and falls. Although the snow began melting by Sunday morning, dangerous patches of ice on roads and sidewalks remained.

While Tokyo is not unaccustomed to some light snowfall in winter and the odd occasional spring snow, this winter has been more than a little unusual. In the Northwest section of Japan, over a hundred people have died in snow-related incidents as record-breaking snowfalls have blanketed areas with sometimes up to four meters of snow.

Tokyo, while snow-free until Saturday, has been much colder than usual this winter, driving up heating bills.

Japan is suffering from part of the cold wave that is affecting much of Asia from Japan to Northern India. China is seeing record snowfalls in the northwestern province of Xinjiang and the eastern province of Shandong, while temperatures in some regions have been at their lowest in 20 years.

Russia’s winter is hitting low temperatures that haven’t been experienced since 1927. Dozens have died due to exposure from the harsh weather. Others have died in gas heater explosions.

Dozens have died across India from exposure. In the earthquake-stricken area of Kashmir, a number of emergency tents have collapsed under the weight of the snow. Dal Lake in Kashmir has frozen over for the first time in ten years.

In sharp contrast, Australia has experienced roasting heat waves in the mid-40s that have killed elderly people, started bushfires, and affected the Australian Open.

The cold wave, which according to meteorologists originated in Siberia, is to blame for this winter’s extra sharp bite. It also pushing into Europe, affecting Belarus, Estonia, and Poland.

All text and photos ©2005 D.Weber