26 people injured, transport disrupted as heavy snow hits northeast Japan

A woman holding an umbrella walks on a street covered with snow, in front of the Bank of Japan building in Tokyo, Japan January 18, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO -- Some 26 people were injured after heavy snow hit eastern and northern Japan early Monday with parts of expressway being closed, flights cancelled and Shinkansen bullet train services suspended.

A total of 26 people were injured due to the icy road in the snow-affected area, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK.

Japan's weather agency said the snow was caused by a rapidly developing low pressure system, forecasting that up to 80 cm of snow would fall in the Tohoku region and 60 cm in Hokkaido, Hokuriku and Tokai areas over the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Early commuters were trapped as traffic system was disrupted by the heavy snow. Shinkansen bullet train services and other trains operating in and around the Tokyo metropolitan area were delayed and some sections of expressway were closed.

Local airliners said over 100 domestic flights were cancelled, mostly from and to Tokyo's Haneda airport.