In Japan, rescuers are trying to free more than 1,000 drivers who have been stranded on a highway for two days after a heavy snow storm struck.
Authorities have distributed food, fuel and blankets to the drivers on the Kanetsu expressway, which connects the capital Tokyo to Niigata, in the north.
The snow, which began on Wednesday evening, has caused multiple traffic jams on the road.
It has also left more than 10,000 homes in the north and west without power.
The gridlock began when a trailer got stuck in snow on Wednesday night.
Police and highway operator East Nippon Expressway said the traffic jam had stretched up to 10 miles on the road at one point.
Officials have been using a combination of heavy machinery and physical labour to dig out the vehicles one by one
“We are trying our best to rescue drivers and passengers, we are ready to continue the operation through the night,” a Niigata disaster management official said.
