The Korean Peninsula Hit by the 'Strongest Cold Wave'... Numerous Meter Freezings Occur

Flight Operations to Jeju Resume from 7 AM on the 25th
"Beware of Frozen Water Pipes and Heating Appliance Fires"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] On the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 24th, a cold wave and heavy snowfall swept across the country, causing a surge in reports of frozen water meters, disruption of air and sea routes, and immobilizing citizens' transportation, resulting in continuous damage.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 25th, the number of frozen water meter cases nationwide increased to 137. Seoul recorded the highest with 98 cases, followed by Gyeonggi with 21 cases. There were 4 cases of frozen water pipes, including 3 in Chungnam and 1 in Seoul.

Due to strong winds and heavy snowfall, air and sea routes were cut off, causing great chaos for returning travelers. In particular, strong winds at Jeju International Airport led to the cancellation of all 466 domestic flights and 10 international flights scheduled to operate throughout the day. As a result, 35,000 to 40,000 people who were planning to return home were stranded in Jeju.

Jeju Airport resumed flight operations from 7 a.m. on the 25th. The Jeju Regional Aviation Office and Korea Airports Corporation Jeju Airport planned to deploy an additional 25 domestic departures to transport about 10,000 passengers. Furthermore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport decided to extend the nighttime landing and takeoff permission at Gimpo Airport until 1 a.m. on the 26th, two hours longer than usual, to accommodate passengers from canceled flights.

On the morning of the 25th, when flights resumed at Jeju Airport, tourists and residents stranded due to heavy snow and strong winds flocked to the airport all at once, causing congestion at the 3rd-floor departure hall.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Passenger ferries, which had been largely suspended due to rough seas, also resumed operations. As of 6 p.m. the previous day, operations of 113 vessels on 86 routes including Baengnyeong~Incheon, Pohang~Ulsan, and Gunsan~Eocheongdo were suspended, but from 6 a.m. on the 25th, 97 vessels on 76 routes resumed normal service. However, 20 vessels on 14 routes such as Pohang~Ulleung and Jeju~Usuyeong remained suspended due to rough seas.

Most major roads are flowing smoothly. However, as of 6 a.m., 12 road sections including 5 in Jeonnam and 3 in Jeonbuk were closed, and due to strong winds, Machang Bridge (20%) and Geoga Bridge (50%) in Gyeongnam are under speed reduction measures.

The Korea Meteorological Administration warned that the cold wave will continue until the morning of the 26th and urged special caution against various damages such as frozen water pipes and fires caused by heating equipment use.

Currently, a cold wave advisory is in effect nationwide, and since the previous day, severe cold with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees Celsius below normal has persisted. Temperatures are expected to rise from the afternoon, and the 26th is forecasted to return to normal temperatures. A heavy snow advisory is in effect mainly for parts of Jeonnam and Jeju, with snowfall expected in some areas until daytime. From late night on the 25th to daytime on the 26th, heavy snow is expected mainly in the central region including the Seoul metropolitan area.

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