Thousands Take Shelter as Massive Snowfall Buries Japan

EXTREME WEATHER AND CLIMATIC EVENTS
MEGA SNOWFALL
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Record snowfall continues to paralyze central Japan, thousands seek shelter

Scores of evacuation centers were opened in two dozen cities and towns  in central Japan sheltering more than 1,600 people who were stranded in cars and trains, as well as thousands of residents who feared their homes, damaged in the snowstorm, could collapse.

Some 1,000 vehicles have been stuck in snow on freeways NW of Tokyo since early Saturday.

Supermarket shelves were left bare, as delivery trucks, also stuck in the snow, failed to arrive, according to reports.

The latest snowstorm has killed at least 18 people and left up to 2,000 others injured.

More snow is forecast along Japan’s Pacific Coast starting Tuesday.

UPDATE

Snow forces Toyota, Honda, Suzuki … to suspend operations at multiple plants

Toyota Motor Corp  suspended operations at four plants in Aichi prefecture, central Japan because heavy snow has disrupted its parts delivery chain, according to reports.

Honda Motor also stopped production at its plants in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo for similar reasons.

Suzuki Motor announced on Monday it too had halted production at 3 plants in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Many other major manufacturers have followed suit including Seiko Epson and the Hitachi group, said reports.

Related Link

• Massive Snowstorm Paralyzes Tokyo, Much of Japan February 16, 2014
• Japan Hit by Major Snowstorm  February 8, 2014