[Comprehensive] Delivery 'All Stop' Due to Heavy Snow in Seoul... Subway and Bus Services Increased Until Tomorrow Morning

Another Heavy Snow... Citizens Experience 'Commute Nightmare'
Seoul City and Police Conduct Emergency Snow Removal... Road Controls
5.5cm Snowfall in Dongjak-gu, 3.2cm in Seocho-gu
Food Delivery Service Temporarily Suspended

On the afternoon of the 12th, police officers were clearing snow near Anguk Station. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] On the 12th, delivery services are once again temporarily suspended due to sudden heavy snowfall in some areas of Seoul. Public transportation operations will also increase in anticipation of traffic congestion caused by the heavy snow.

The snow began falling around 3:30 PM and covered Seoul in white in less than an hour.

Fortunately, unlike on the 6th when heavy snow and cold weather combined to freeze the roads solidly, as of 7 PM on this day, the temperature in Seoul was around minus 1 degree Celsius, causing a significant amount of the snow on the roads to melt.

Seoul's snow removal vehicles were urgently deployed to clear the snow accumulated on the roads, and police officers who were dispatched also assisted with snow removal. Seoul City deployed about 8,000 personnel and 1,078 snow removal vehicles and equipment for the operation.

On the 12th, when heavy snow fell mainly in Seoul, the metropolitan area, and the west coast, citizens were bustling on the streets of Sinchon, Seoul.

Citizens each cleared the snow in front of their homes, and apartment security guards swept the snow in the complexes and spread calcium chloride.

Citizens who did not bring umbrellas in the heavy snowfall took shelter in subway stations and other places. Some citizens chose public transportation over taxis or cars due to concerns about traffic congestion.

In areas where snow removal was not properly carried out, traffic police guided drivers to take detours. Around 4 PM that day, the intersection near Gyodae Station in Seocho-gu was covered with snow, and cars were tangled, causing honking sounds here and there.

Most roads had calcium chloride spread in advance, so the snow melted immediately as it fell, but sidewalks where snow removal agents were insufficiently applied quickly turned into icy paths.

On the afternoon of the 12th, when a heavy snow warning was in effect, traffic congestion occurred due to heavy snowfall near Namtaryeong Hill in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In areas with heavy vehicle traffic such as Guro and Sindorim, and near Yeongdeungpo Station and Dangsan Station, cars gathered early, filling the roads.

Public transportation such as buses was also delayed.

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heavy snow warning for the southeastern and southwestern parts of Seoul around 3:40 PM. A heavy snow warning is issued when more than 5 cm of snow is expected to accumulate within 24 hours.

As of 8 PM that day, the snowfall amounts at major points in the metropolitan area were Seoul 5.0 cm, Suwon 3.8 cm, Bukchuncheon 2.8 cm, Incheon 2.6 cm, and Hongseong 1.0 cm.

In Gangwon Province, 1.7 cm fell in Cheorwon, 2.1 cm in Hongcheon, 1.1 cm in Inje, and 0.9 cm in Wonju. In the Chungcheong region, 4.3 cm fell in Buyeo, 2.0 cm in Gongju, 1.3 cm in Jecheon, 0.7 cm in Jincheon, and 0.4 cm in Goesan. In Jeonbuk, 0.7 cm of snow accumulated in Wanju and 0.7 cm in Jinanjuchon.

Seoul City to Increase Public Transportation Operations from Night of 12th to Morning of 13th

Seoul City announced that it will increase public transportation operations during the evening rush hour on the 12th and the morning rush hour on the 13th in anticipation of traffic congestion.

The subway will extend the concentrated dispatch hours during the evening rush hour on the 12th from the previous 6?8 PM to 10 PM. The morning rush hour on the 13th will be extended by 30 minutes from 7?9 AM to 9:30 AM.

Therefore, subway operations will increase by 56 trips during the evening rush hour on the 12th and 36 trips during the morning rush hour on the 13th.

City buses will extend the minimum dispatch interval operation by 30 minutes during rush hours and will lift the nighttime reduced operation.

Delivery Services for Food and Others Suspended or Delayed

Due to the heavy snowfall that day, delivery services for food and other items are being suspended or delayed.

Delivery app Baedal Minjok stated, "Currently, heavy snow may cause delivery delays," and added, "We will deliver safely. Please wait a little longer."

On the 12th, the delivery app Baedal Minjok announced, "Deliveries may be delayed due to heavy snowfall." Photo by Baedal Minjok app screen capture.

Baedal Minjok temporarily suspended the 'Baemin Riders' delivery service for popular restaurants in the metropolitan area and the delivery-only mart service 'B Mart.'

Yogiyo also temporarily suspended its 'Yogiyo Express' and 'Y Mart' services in the metropolitan area.

Coupang Eats also temporarily suspended its metropolitan area services.

Delivery agency Barogo temporarily suspended deliveries in some areas of Seoul, Incheon, and northern Gyeonggi Province.

Parcel and online shopping delivery companies are also closely monitoring the weather conditions.

A representative from a delivery company said, "We are still monitoring the weather conditions," but added, "If more snow falls, deliveries will inevitably be somewhat delayed."