Snowfall of 1-5cm Forecast in Seoul on the 28th... Seoul City, Districts, and Related Agencies Implement Snow Removal Level 1 at Midnight on the 28th
Advance Deployment of Snow Removal Vehicles and Equipment, Enhanced Safety Management of Facilities Against Strong Winds
Seoul City, autonomous districts, and related organizations are holding an emergency video conference on the 27th to prepare for heavy snow, strong winds, and cold waves.
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As 1 to 5 cm of snow is forecasted in the Seoul area, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will issue Snow Removal Level 1 starting from midnight on the 28th and enter an emergency duty system together with autonomous districts and related organizations.
The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a preliminary heavy snow warning at 4 p.m. on the 27th for northern Gyeonggi Province (including Uijeongbu, Namyangju, etc.). Especially on the 28th, as snow accompanied by strong winds is forecasted, the city held an emergency video conference with 25 autonomous districts at 5 p.m. on the 27th to prepare for heavy snow, strong winds, and cold waves.
Since a large amount of snow is expected to fall in a short time with regional differences in snowfall, the city plans to detect signs of snowfall in advance through CCTVs installed along the snowfall path in the West Sea area, prioritize spreading snow removal agents on vulnerable roads such as alleys and steep slopes, and consider raising the response level in areas expected to have heavy snowfall.
Snow removal boxes located in alleys and steep slopes have been replenished with snow removal agents and equipment so that anyone can easily use them, and citizens are also urged to participate in snow clearing in front of their homes and stores as a large amount of snow is forecasted. In addition, safety management of facilities such as outdoor screening clinics, road traffic facilities, and construction sites will be strengthened to prevent accidents caused by strong winds.
To prepare for traffic congestion, traffic police will be concentrated at vulnerable points immediately after snowfall, and the city will maintain a cooperative system with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to enable traffic control in vulnerable sections during heavy snow.
Since there is a possibility of concentrated snowfall in a short time during the morning commute on the 28th, the city will extend the intensive dispatch time of public transportation during the Thursday morning commute by 30 minutes to prevent congestion. The subway will operate 36 more trips than usual, and city buses will extend the minimum dispatch interval operation by 30 minutes during the morning commute on all routes, increasing the number of trips by route. To prevent accidents such as breakdowns of outdoor-exposed facilities like electric trains due to freezing overnight, electric trains are inspected indoors and held inside, and thorough inspections of trains and facilities are conducted before dispatch.
Road closures and bus detours due to heavy snow will be promptly announced through Variable Message Signs (VMS) and Bus Information Terminals (BIT) at bus stops. Information can also be checked on the Seoul Transportation Information Center’s TOPIS website (http://topis.seoul.go.kr/) and Twitter (@seoultopis).
Han Je-hyun, Director General of Safety at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, “As a large amount of snow is forecasted to fall in a short time along with strong winds, we will mobilize all personnel and equipment to do our best in snow removal operations,” and urged, “If temperatures drop sharply along with snow, roads may become slippery, so citizens are asked to refrain from driving private cars and use public transportation.”
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