As Japan’s deadly winter rages on, fears of ‘disaster-level’ weather patterns mount

With the number of deaths during the current severe winter season in Japan expected to rise, environmental and tourism experts have warned of greater risks to lives and property arising from unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.Parts of Japan have experienced “disaster-level” snowfall in recent days, with authorities reporting at least 29 dead and 290 injured in accidents since January 20.Just as Japanese summers are becoming hotter, longer and more humid, global warming is also affecting the nation’s winter weather patterns, according to climate experts.Tokyo dispatched military personnel to Aomori in northeast Japan on Monday to clear snow on rooftops and elsewhere, as some buildings face the risk of collapse.The prefectural authorities requested help on Sunday after 183cm (72 inches) of snow fell within 24 hours, 2.7 times the average annual snowfall in the Magonai district of Aomori city. It was the first time in 21 years that the military had been tasked to help residents deal with a snow-related emergency in the Aomori region.On Sunday, the body of a 91-year-old woman was found buried under 3 metres of snow in Aomori.