As reported earlier today, numerous landslides along Route 158, running between Matsuomoto and Kamikochi, have temporarily blocked access to the park.
It has since emmerged, through information released by the Mastumoto Construction Office and reported in the media, that around 300 travellers and staff have been stranded inside the park due to the Kama Tunnel being blocked. The travellers are understood to be lodging at accommodations within Kamikochi with access to several days worth of food. No injuries have been reported at this time.
Photographs of the scene as it looked in the early morning may seen here on NHK’s news homepage.
A special meeting was convened today in Matsumoto to address the situation and relay reports to the public. Several goverment bodies are now working together to release detailed information as well as to mobilize personnel to clear the blocked portions of Route 158.
We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updated information as it becomes available to us.
Source of Information:
NHK News homepage: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200708/k10012503811000.html