Snowstorm kills three in Japan

Tokyo, Dec 18 (IANS/EFE) A violent snowstorm in Japan has killed three people and seriously disrupted transport in the northern island of Hokkaido, public broadcaster NHK reported Thursday.

There have been two powerful low pressure fronts near Hokkaido and to the north of Honshu island since Wednesday, resulting in heavy snowfall and strong winds, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

It could be one of the worst storms to hit the northern Japanese archipelago in recent years with up to 120 cm of snow in some areas and winds that could reach 160 kph, the agency warned.

At least three people died in traffic accidents due to ice, snow and avalanches, two in the Hokkaido prefecture and another in Hiroshima, said NHK.

More than 1,200 schools in the prefecture were closed as were several highways and roads.

Train services between the island's capital, Sapporo, and other parts of Japan were suspended. More than 100 flights in the country, mostly from Hokkaido, were cancelled.

--IANS/EFE

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