Akita Yokote, a record heavy snowfall, was dispatched by the Ground Self-Defense Force to remove snow.

In Yokote City in the southern part of Akita Prefecture, which has a record heavy snowfall, the Ground Self-Defense Force is carrying out snow removal work in response to a disaster dispatch request from the prefecture.

At the request of Akita Prefecture, about 100 members of the Ground Self-Defense Force Akita station in Akita City were dispatched to Yokote City.

In Yokote City, the snowfall at 11:00 am on the 6th is 1 meter 59 cm, which is nearly four times the normal amount. And started snow removal on the premises.

While using shovels, the members used to gradually break down and drop a large amount of snow on the roof of the one-story school building, and to clean up the snow that had accumulated on the premises.

According to the Self-Defense Forces, snow removal work was also carried out at Jumonji Junior High School in Yokote City in the morning.

Mikio Chiba, the 4th commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment, who is in command at the scene, said, "I felt that there was more snow than I had imagined when I got into Yokote. There are many people in trouble, so I want to do my best to put safety first." I was talking.

Principal Noriho Takase of Sakae Elementary School said, "I was worried that the school would collapse, so I am very grateful to have the Self-Defense Forces come to remove snow."

In Akita Daisen, city officials remove snow

In Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, where heavy snowfall is occurring, about 90 city employees are removing snow on the road in the center on the 6th.

In Daisen City, it is expected that the record heavy snowfall during the year-end and New Year holidays will not keep up with snow removal on roads, and that it will snow more due to the rough weather from the 7th.

For this reason, about 90 city officials are working to remove snow on the road in the center, about 2.5 km.

Employees used to pour snow on the side of the road into a ditch to widen the road, or to break down and remove a mountain of snow that had accumulated nearly two meters on the side of an intersection.

Hayato Fujita, chief of the Daisen City General Disaster Prevention Division, said, "We are doing our best to have cars and pedestrians pass safely. We expect heavy snow tomorrow, so be careful of the citizens. I want you to do the snow removal work. "

Snow removal work will be done until 4 pm on the 6th.