Japan snowstorm disrupts flights, damages houses

A snowstorm in Japan has damaged houses, caused power failures, disrupted train service and led to the cancellation of more than 150 domestic flights, local authorities said on Sunday.

About 40 centimetres (16 inches) of snow blanketed the runways at New Chitose Airport, the biggest air hub on the northern main island of Hokkaido on Saturday, an airport official said. At least 154 flights were cancelled.

The storm, which also brought high winds, damaged at least 137 houses and buildings and temporarily cut off power to 47,500 households in northern Aomori prefecture alone, the local authority said.

There were no reports of injuries, and authorities said conditions were improving on Sunday.

First Published: Feb 22, 2009 12:05 IST