Snowfall disrupted road and rail traffic in the Tokyo metropolitan area on Monday, affecting morning commuters.

In the metropolitan area, delays affected train services on the Japan Railways Group Tokaido, Keihin Tohoku and other lines, while some limited express train runs were suspended on the JR Chuo and other lines.

Elsewhere in the country, Shinkansen bullet trains on the JR Yamagata, Akita, Hokuriku, Joetsu and Tokaido lines were delayed.

There were delays and cancellations of flights operated by Japan Airlines and ANA Holdings Inc.’s All Nippon Airways using Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and other airports.

In addition, parts of expressways were closed, including sections of the Chuo Expressway in the prefectures of Yamanashi and Nagano.

In Tokyo, at least 41 people were taken to hospitals in the morning due to snow-related injuries, including one broken arm.

The low-pressure system is predicted to reach seas off the Sanriku coast of the Tohoku region Monday evening and Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido on Tuesday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency called for people to remain alert for heavy snow, blizzards, strong winds and high waves.

Snowfall in the 24 hours through 11 a.m. Monday reached 40 centimeters in Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi and 39 centimeters in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture.

The central Tokyo area had a maximum snowfall of six centimeters as of 6 a.m.

A maximum instantaneous wind speed of 29.6 meters per second was recorded in Choshi in Chiba Prefecture shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 30-40 meters per second and maximum wave heights of six to eight meters are expected through Tuesday.(Jiji Press)

Link: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002690656