Japan warns of avalanches as snow deaths rise to 35

TOKYO, Feb 04 (AFP): Japan warned of possible avalanches in the country's northern regions on Wednesday as the mercury suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall that paralysed traffic and collapsed houses.

Sustained snow since late January has buried northern communities like Aomori under drifts of around two metres (six feet) that left residents struggling to leave home and forced schools and businesses to close.

But the temperature rose Wednesday, reaching 8C in Aomori, increasing the risk of chunks of heavy, wet snow dropping from rooftops, potentially causing injuries and even death, officials said.