Japan suffered its coldest night for 48 years as temperatures fell to -4C, sparking paramedics’ busiest day for eight decades.
The Tokyo fire department, which runs the ambulance service, said it had responded to 2,826 calls on Wednesday following rare and heavy snow that sparked chaos in one of the world’s most populous cities.
Dramatic pictures from across the capital showed citizens struggling through heavy snow and ice.
Big freeze: Japan suffered its coldest night for nearly 50 years as temperatures fell to -4C, sparking paramedics’ busiest day for 80 years
The Tokyo fire department, which runs the ambulance service, said it had responded to 2,826 calls on Wednesday following rare and heavy snow that sparked chaos in one of the world’s most populous cities
Dramatic pictures from across the capital showed citizens struggling through heavy snow and ice in the adverse conditions
Struggling through the snow and ice: A man walks his bicycle outside Kanda Shrine during a snowfall in Tokyo
People walk on a street during a snowfall in Tokyo on January 22, 2018. Japan’s weather agency issued a heavy snow warning for Tokyo for the first time in four years
‘Generally, we receive more calls in winter. But we think the combination of influenza, heavy snow and cold weather contributed to the record high number,’ a spokesman said.
The number of emergency call-outs was the highest since the service began in 1936 and well above the average of around 2,000.
The annual number of emergency calls has been on the rise for the past eight years in Tokyo, the spokesman added.
As a cold snap grips Japan, the government warned the glacial conditions in Tokyo would continue.
Snow on the tracks: Trains suffered delays in Tokyo as inches of snow fell on the lines over the course of the week
In this aerial image, snow covered Tokyo is seen on January 23. The snowstorm affected traffic and public transport in the capital
Looking glum: A man holding an umbrella walks to Nakano Station under Tokyo’s first snowfall of the year
On the move: Pedestrians holding umbrellas walk to Nakano Station under Tokyo’s first snowfall of the year Snow in Tokyo
The annual number of emergency calls has been on the rise for the past eight years in Tokyo and has been increased by bad weather. Pictured: The Imperial Palace
A man rides his bicycle on a street during a snowfall in Tokyo as he wraps himself up warm in a thick coat for his journey
The number of emergency call-outs was the highest since the service began in 1936 and well above the average of around 2,000
A man crosses a street during a snowfall in Tokyo. Japan’s weather agency issued a heavy snow warning for Tokyo for the first time in four years
‘The weather agency has issued a low temperature warning for Tokyo for the first time in 33 years… The cold weather will continue until Saturday,’ said deputy government spokesman Kotaro Nogami.
A rare heavy blanket of snow in Tokyo on Tuesday left thousands of travellers stranded and scores injured.
Japan’s weather agency recorded as much as 9.2 inches of snow in some parts of Tokyo, the biggest snowfall since February 2014.
Snow falls at Hibiya Park which runs between the east gardens of the Imperial Palace to the north, the Shinbashi district to the southeast and the Kasumigaseki government district to the west
‘The weather agency has issued a low temperature warning for Tokyo for the first time in 33 years… The cold weather will continue until Saturday,’ said deputy government spokesman Kotaro Nogami.
A woman walks at Kanda Shrine during a snowfall in Tokyo. Japan’s weather agency issued a heavy snow warning for the city
‘The weather agency has issued a low temperature warning for Tokyo for the first time in 33 years. The cold weather will continue until Saturday,’ said deputy government spokesman Kotaro Nogami.
People wait in a queue for taxis at Akihabara station during a snowfall in Tokyo where adverse weather conditions have been affecting public life
Making his way home: A man holding an umbrella walks to Shinjuku Station under Tokyo’s first snowfall of the year
Pedestrians holding umbrellas walk to Nakano Station under Tokyo’s first snowfall of the year which came thick and fast
The weather paralysed the evening commute as millions of workers battled to get home on the city’s famously crowded transport system.
‘At least 67 people have been injured in snow-related accidents in Tokyo and the number is expected to increase further as calls for ambulances have continued,’ a spokesman with the city’s fire department said.
More than 330 domestic flights departing from and arriving to airports in the Tokyo region were cancelled due to the bad weather, while some regional trains were also suspended.
More than 330 domestic flights departing from and arriving to airports in the Tokyo region were cancelled due to the bad weather, while some regional trains were also suspended
The weather paralysed the evening commute as millions of workers battled to get home on the city’s famously crowded transport system
Keeping safe: These schoolchildren wore reflective backpacks to stay safe the conditions in the Yurakucho area of Tokyo
The land of the Hibiya park was occupied by the estates of the Mōri clan and Nabeshima clan during the Edo period, and was used for army maneuvers during the Meiji period. It was converted to a park and opened to the public on June 1, 1903
The Imperial Palace snow in snow in Tokyo. The palace is the primary residence of the revered Emperor of Japan
The gardens of the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Palace and the headquarters of the Imperial Household Agency are located in the former West Citadel of the Edo Castle