Around 200 People Still Cut Off by Heavy Snowfall in Japan: Reports

At least three areas have been affected by the heavy snowfall in Tokushima Prefecture; some 200 people remain without communication and transportation services.

TOKYO, December 9 (Sputnik) — Some 200 people in Japan's Tokushima Prefecture continue for the fifth day to do without communications and transport services due to heavy snow, the NHK TV channel reported Tuesday.

At least three areas have been affected by the heavy snowfall in Tokushima Prefecture, which is located on the island of Shikoku, the broadcaster reported.

In the early hours of Tuesday, troops from the Japanese armed forces were sent on helicopters to the areas affected by the snowfall to establish contact with people caught up in the snowfall. Access to homes is even more obstructed by roads having been blocked by trees.

According to the NHK TV channel, about 670 households across Japan remain without electricity. Meanwhile, six people are estimated to have become victims.

The snowfall has struck Japan's west coast over the last weekend. On Monday, the snowfall reached 43 inches in Yamagata Prefecture, while in the prefectures of Fukui and Nagano it reached 35 and 59 inches respectively.