Japan warns of possible avalanches in northern regions Wednesday as temperatures suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall that paralyzed traffic and collapsed houses.
Sustained snow since late January has buried northern communities like Aomori under drifts of around 2 metres (6 feet) that left residents struggling to leave home and forced schools and businesses to close.
But the temperature rose Wednesday, reaching 8 degrees Celsius (46.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in Aomori, increasing the risk of chunks of heavy, wet snow dropping from rooftops, potentially causing injuries and even death, officials said.
"We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press briefing.
By Wednesday, extreme snowfall had killed 35 people and caused 393 injuries across the country since Jan. 20, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
