Record-breaking Cold Wave and Heavy Snow... 73 Cases of Meter Freezing Nationwide

12 Local Road Sections Controlled
Heavy Snow Crisis Alert at 'Warning' Level

From the 21st to the 23rd, a severe cold wave is forecast nationwide, and heavy snow warnings have been issued for the west coast of Chungnam and the western Jeolla region. As the strongest cold wave of this winter hits, water meter freezing accidents are also occurring one after another.

On the 19th, as the morning temperature in Seoul dropped to minus 7.4 degrees Celsius, the cold wave continued, and icicles froze at Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) as of 6 a.m. on the 21st, there were 73 water meter freezing accidents reported: 26 in Seoul, 18 in Gyeonggi, 3 in Incheon, and 13 in Gangwon. Among these, 46 cases have been restored, and the rest are currently being repaired. There were also 3 cases of water pipe damage in Gyeonggi, but repairs have been completed.

So far, no casualties have been confirmed, but 5 cold-related illness cases occurred on the 19th, bringing the cumulative number of patients since the 1st of this month to 81.

Roads were closed in 12 local sections: 4 in Chungnam, 5 in Jeonnam, 1 in Gwangju, and 2 in Jeju. Passenger ships on 41 routes, including Incheon-Baengnyeongdo, totaling 52 vessels, were canceled. Flights were also canceled: 8 at Gimpo, 17 at Jeju, 1 at Gimhae, 6 at Gunsan, and 10 at Yeosu, totaling 42 flights. National parks had closures in 8 parks and 159 trails, including 22 locations in Gyeryongsan, 21 in Naejangsan, and 7 in Seoraksan.

Earlier, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the CDSCH alert level from Level 1 to Level 2 at 8 p.m. on the 20th and upgraded the heavy snow crisis alert from 'caution' to 'warning.' According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this cold snap will continue until the morning of the 23rd, with morning low temperatures on the 21st expected to range from -20 to -4 degrees Celsius and daytime highs from -9 to 2 degrees Celsius.

The CDSCH instructed thorough follow-up snow removal on side roads and sidewalks after clearing main roads, and to distribute snow removal agents in small quantities around bus stops for residents to use. They also urged strengthening publicity on roof snow removal for snow-vulnerable structures such as vinyl greenhouses and livestock sheds within heavy snow warning areas, and to evacuate in advance if there is a risk of collapse. Additionally, they emphasized the use of disaster text messages and subtitle broadcasts to provide weather warnings and behavioral guidelines, and to promptly disseminate traffic information.

Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Interior and Safety and head of the CDSCH, stated, "We will establish an emergency preparedness system for preventing facility damage such as water pipe and meter freezing and fires, and for swift response in case of damage." He added, "We will guide vulnerable households that have difficulty heating to use temporary residential facilities."

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