Gochang-gun Mobilizes Full Snow Removal Efforts Amid 'Up to 23cm Heavy Snowfall'

Published 21 Dec.2023 09:33(KST)

Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, has been operating the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters since the 20th due to continuous heavy snowfall in the Gochang area, and all employees have been mobilized to clear the snow, making an all-out effort in snow removal operations.

According to the county on the 21st, as of 8 a.m., the Gochang area recorded an average snowfall of 19.4 cm (with Mujang-myeon reaching a maximum of 23.7 cm), and a heavy snow warning has been in effect since 6 p.m. the previous day.

Shim Deok-seop, the governor of Gochang County, visited the snow removal site in Gochang-eup on the morning of the 21st to encourage the on-site personnel.
[Photo by Gochang County]

The county immediately activated the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and entered an emergency duty system.

To clear roads and manage the situation, 46 personnel were deployed, and 250 tons of deicing agents such as calcium chloride, along with 37 pieces of equipment including dump trucks, sand spreaders, and graders, were mobilized to conduct snow removal operations on 34 routes covering 327 km, including main roads, slopes, bridges, and icy areas.

Additionally, to ensure pedestrian safety and prevent traffic accidents, county officials were deployed from the morning after the weather cleared to carry out snow removal in vulnerable urban areas.

County Governor Shim Deok-seop also visited the site from early morning to inspect the snow removal situation and encouraged the public officials involved in clearing snow in urban areas.

Governor Shim said, “Please make every effort to ensure thorough snow removal so that no additional difficulties arise due to the heavy snow,” and added, “Since more snow is forecasted, I ask all residents and public officials to participate in clearing the snow in front of their homes.”

He continued, “As severe cold weather around minus 10 degrees Celsius is expected until the weekend, please take thorough measures to prevent damage to agricultural facilities such as vinyl greenhouses and to protect vulnerable groups.”

Meanwhile, the county has designated the period from December 15 last month to March 15 next year as the winter natural disaster countermeasure period, and is making every effort to prepare for snow and cold weather by monitoring weather conditions 24 hours a day and operating emergency duty teams in stages.

Gochang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jae-gil baekok@asiae.co.kr