Nationwide 'Frozen Solid' Due to Cold Wave and Heavy Snow... Traffic Paralysis and Burst Water Pipe Reports Surge Across the Country

KMA "Strong Cold Expected Until Tomorrow Morning"

On the 18th, when the strongest cold wave of this winter hit, foreign tourists were dressed in thick clothing at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] As the cold wave continued along with heavy snowfall, damage occurred mainly in the Chungcheong and Honam regions.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 19th, the Gwangju and Jeonnam areas, which were under a heavy snow warning for three days starting from the 17th, received up to 20.4 cm of snow.

On Jeju Hallasan Mountain, heavy snow exceeding 30 cm accumulated, with 33.8 cm at Saje-bi and 31.5 cm at Samgakbong.

At around 8:53 a.m. that day, three vehicles collided after slipping on the icy road at the boundary of Gwangju and Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, near the Sinneoritjae Tunnel. In addition, accidents such as vehicles sliding on snowy roads hitting guardrails or overturning also occurred.

In Mokpo City, Jeonnam, traffic was paralyzed due to the heavy snowfall. Some road sections were so congested like parking lots that vehicles could not move, causing travel times of over an hour for distances that normally take 5 to 10 minutes.

In Muan and Hampyeong, Jeonnam, facilities such as livestock barns and compost sheds were damaged as they bent or collapsed under the weight of the snow.

Seven major national parks, including Hallasan and Naejangsan, and some mountain roads in Jeju and Jeonnam were closed but are gradually returning to normal.

Cold-related illnesses surge and water pipe bursts increase

In Chungbuk and Gyeonggi, the severe cold wave led to a surge in cold-related illnesses and water pipe bursts. In Chungbuk, as of this day, three elderly people aged 70 or older received hospital treatment for cold-related illnesses.

In Gyeonggi, where the minimum temperature dropped to around minus 20 degrees Celsius, five people were injured, including three with frostbite and two with hypothermia.

Water pipe bursts also occurred frequently nationwide, with nine cases of water pipe bursts and 114 cases of meter bursts reported, according to the Central Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

The cold wave also caused disruptions to air and sea routes, causing significant inconvenience to travelers.

At Jeju Airport, 100 flights were canceled in bulk due to sudden wind and strong wind warnings issued the previous day, but normal operations began to resume from this day.

In Jeonnam, all ferry routes (54 routes, 88 vessels) were suspended the previous day but most resumed normal operations on this day.

Snow mostly stopped by the afternoon of this day, but some areas are expected to see snowfall again starting from the 21st. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that although the heavy snow has ended, the severe cold will continue until tomorrow morning.

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