Japan - February 13, 2025 A powerful cold wave has brought continuous snowfall to many areas across Japan, causing casualties and wide-spread disruption to people's lives. According to the Japanese government, the ongoing snowfall had left 13 dead and 173 injured as of Thursday. Heavy snowfall has paralyzed roads across the country, leaving many areas inaccessible. In Fukushima Prefecture on Japan's eastern Pacific coast, an avalanche buried a key road, cutting off a road section of over five kilometers and stranding dozens of people in three hotels along the road. As snowfall persists, rescue operations are becoming increasingly difficult. Authorities have warned that the heavy snowfall could trigger traffic gridlock and building structural damages, urging residents to stay alert and take precautions. Shotlist: Fukushima prefecture, Japan - Feb 13, 2025: 1. Various of road signs, road blocks; road covered with thick blanket of snow; snowstorm; 2. Various of snow clearing operations in progress; staff at work, excavator in operation; 3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Katushi Nouchi, snow-clearing worker (ending with shot 4): "With roads becoming impassable, people's daily life has been severely disrupted. The risk of slipping accidents is high, and some residents are completely unable to leave their homes. That's why snow removal is critical. Fukushima is no stranger to snow, but we haven't seen a storm like this in over a decade."; 4. Various of trees, road covered with thick blanket of snow, road blocks; snowstorm; 5. Various of snow clearing operations in progress; workers, vehicles; 6. Snowstorm, trees. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]