[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] On Christmas Eve, Saturday the 24th, severe cold and heavy snowfall continue due to a cold wave. In the southern regions, continuous snowfall has caused property damage and safety accidents.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 24th, the new snowfall amounts (the amount of snow accumulated in one day) were recorded as 92.4 cm at Halla Mountain Sajebi (Shinji), Jeju, 58.7 cm at Bokheung (Sunchang), Jeonbuk, 35.8 cm in Gwangju, 33.5 cm at Taein (Jeongeup), Jeonbuk, and 28 cm in Seocheon, Chungnam.
The cold wave also continued mainly in the central inland areas. The lowest temperatures on the day were recorded as minus 18.9 degrees Celsius in Incheon, minus 18.5 degrees in Seoul, minus 17.4 degrees in Daejeon, minus 16.7 degrees in Chuncheon, minus 15.4 degrees in Andong, minus 13.9 degrees in Ulsan, and minus 9.9 degrees in Gwangju.
As of 4 p.m. on the day, the heavy snow warnings issued for Jeju, Honam, and Chungnam were all lifted.
Cold wave warnings are in effect for most central regions including Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk, while cold wave advisories are in place for some southern areas.
Ongoing cold and snow have led to continuous property damage and safety accidents. In Jeonbuk, it is tentatively estimated that 52 buildings and vinyl greenhouses collapsed due to snow over three days. In Jeonnam, 40 facility greenhouses and 9 livestock barns were damaged.
In Gwangju, from the 22nd until the morning of the 24th, a total of 128 heavy snow-related accidents such as traffic accidents and falls were reported to emergency number 119. Jeonnam had 140 emergency dispatch reports, and Jeonbuk received 54 reports of falls. In Chungnam, 7 vehicle entrapment reports were received from 6 p.m. the previous day to 6 a.m. on the 24th.
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