Seoul City Issues First 'Dongpa Warning' Stage of the Year on 12th... Second This Winter

The Second 'Frozen Pipe Warning' Stage Issued Since December 25 Last Year... 24-Hour Situation Room Operation

On the 11th, when a cold wave advisory was issued for most regions nationwide, ice formed at Ttukseom Hangang Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Fine dust levels were good across all areas. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 11th that it will issue the first water meter 'freeze warning' stage of the year starting at 9 a.m. on the 12th, as a severe cold wave is expected with minimum temperatures dropping below minus 12 degrees Celsius.

The 'freeze warning' stage corresponds to the third level out of the four-stage freeze forecast system and is issued when the daily minimum temperature remains below minus 10 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days. This is the second issuance this winter, following December 25 last year. From December 25 to 28 last year, when the first 'freeze warning' stage was issued, 1,193 cases of water meter freezing occurred.

Since the start of the winter freeze prevention period on November 15 last year, a total of 2,143 cases of water meter freezing have occurred in Seoul. It has been confirmed that 55% of the freezing damage occurred during the 'freeze warning' period, highlighting the need for citizens' special attention to prevent freezing.

Water meter freezing surges when temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius persist for more than two days. Seoul City stated that since temperatures will drop sharply from the 12th to the 14th, special care should be taken to prevent freezing.

To prevent water meter freezing during weather with temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, it is recommended to slightly open faucets during outings or nighttime hours when water is not being used.

With the issuance of the 'freeze warning' stage, a ‘Freeze Countermeasure Situation Room’ will also operate 24 hours a day for the prompt restoration of freeze and frost damage. Seoul City explained, "The Waterworks Headquarters and eight waterworks offices will organize personnel into two shifts per day to prepare for emergency repairs due to the surge in freezing cases, minimizing inconvenience to citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.