As the southern part of Akita Prefecture experienced a record heavy snowfall, the Ground Self-Defense Force, which received a disaster dispatch request from the prefecture, began snow removal work at an elderly house in the mountains of Yuzawa City.
In Akita Prefecture, following Yokote City on the 5th, Yuzawa City, which has about four times as much snow as normal, and Ugo Town also requested the Self-Defense Forces to dispatch disasters on the 6th.
Of these, in Yuzawa City, from around noon on the 7th, about 70 members of the Ground Self-Defense Force Akita station were divided into 6 groups and started snow removal work in the mountainous Minase district about 15 km away from the city center. did.
The target is an elderly house that cannot remove snow on its own, and members climb on the snow that has accumulated up to the height of the roof on the first floor, and gradually scrape off the snow that has accumulated on the roof with a shovel or the like. I used to use a snowplow to clean up the snow on the premises.
A 71-year-old woman living alone who had the snow removed said, "I asked a contractor, but I was told that I was full of reservations, so it was really helpful."
Kaname Ishii, commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment, who takes command of the scene, said, "I think some people are worried that the weight of the snow will cause the house to collapse, so I will do my best to live with peace of mind. I want to go. "
According to the Self-Defense Forces, Ugo Town will start snow removal work from the 8th, and the work will continue for the time being in the three cities and towns.