The Korean Peninsula, Japan and China are seeing temperatures drop not seen in a decade as snow blocks travel.
Countries in northeast Asia are grappling with the worst winter ever, with temperatures dropping to their lowest level in at least a decade and snow making travel difficult.
On Thursday, South Korea’s capital, Seoul, issued a “freeze” warning – when the temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) for two consecutive days.
It also announced a heavy snowfall advisory, affecting Seoul and its suburbs, as well as other central parts of the country, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the weather agency.
This advisory is issued when 5cm (2 inches) or more of snow is expected within 24 hours.
Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is also expecting a cold blast from Friday, Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride from the city said.
Some parts of central and northern Japan have been dealing with the lowest temperatures in a decade and heavy snowfall. Air travel, trains and roads have all been affected, with drivers stuck in the snow for hours and authorities warning people in the worst-hit areas not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
At least three people have died in Japan.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki told reporters that the deaths could be linked to accidents while clearing snow and urged people to stop doing so as there is no one to help in the event of an accident, according to AFP.
“There is a large area of East Asia that has been affected by this cold air from the north,” said McBride, noting that the town of Mohe in China recorded “a bone-chilling temperature of -53 degrees Celsius. [-63.4F]”.
Mohe lives near the border with Russia.
McBride said there are also concerns about North Korea, where people are vulnerable to extreme weather because infrastructure is unstable and electricity is not stable, especially outside of major cities.
