Heavy Snow in Gangwon Causes 'Isolation and Control'... Snowfall Expected Until the 16th

Seoul~Yangyang Expressway and Yeongdong Expressway Severely Congested
103 Snow-Related Traffic Accidents in Two Days...7-Vehicle Pileup, 2 Injured
Northern Gyeonggi, Gangwon Yeongseo and Northern Regions Drop Below Minus 10 Degrees

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] On the 15th, heavy snowfall exceeding 50cm mainly in the mountainous areas of Gangwon region caused some residents in Gangwon Province to become isolated and roads to be closed, resulting in ongoing snowfall damage.

According to Gangwon Province, although significant snow removal operations were carried out on major roads within the province from the afternoon, many side roads and sidewalks were covered with heavy snow, causing inconvenience to drivers and pedestrians.

From the afternoon, as homebound vehicles flooded the highways, severe traffic congestion occurred on the Seoul~Yangyang Expressway and Yeongdong Expressway.

On the 15th, heavy snow fell in the Daegwallyeong section of the old Yeongdong Expressway in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At around 12:04 PM that day, about 10 vehicles and 40 people were stranded due to heavy snow on the Jamboree Road in Inheung-ri, Toseong-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gangwon. They were rescued after about 1 hour and 30 minutes with the deployment of snow removal vehicles from local governments and military units.

Nine roads in Gangwon Province, including the Inje~Goseong Misiryeong Old Road, Chuncheon Sabuk-myeon Malgogae, and Wonju County Road No. 15, were closed due to the heavy snowfall.

The Naksan Pass in Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang, and the Mokujae section were also temporarily closed as vehicles without winter equipment slipped.

Gangwon Province and each city and county controlled 64 locations, including habitual snow removal sections and national park trails, deploying 451 pieces of equipment, 620 personnel, and 1,183 tons of materials to carry out snow removal operations.

Traffic accidents on snowy roads also occurred continuously. According to the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, a total of 103 traffic accidents occurred in Gangwon Province alone by 2 PM that day.

At around 7:30 PM on the 14th, a 7-car pileup occurred on the Donghae Expressway towards Sokcho near Gangneung 1 Tunnel due to snowy roads, injuring two people.

Contact accidents occurred near Manjong Junction on the Yeongdong Expressway towards Incheon and on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway towards Yangyang, worsening vehicle congestion.

Gangneung Okgye-myeon Gangneung 1 Tunnel Traffic Accident Site
[Photo by Gangwon-do Fire Headquarters]

Meanwhile, Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, held an emergency situation inspection meeting with 18 mayors and county heads in the afternoon to check the damage situation and snow removal status.

Governor Kim said, "As snow is forecast until the 16th, the province and each city and county should closely monitor the weather conditions and respond thoroughly," adding, "I ask the province, 18 cities and counties, and related agencies to cooperate closely and do their best to respond to the heavy snowfall so that not a single life is lost."

He also urged to protect facilities such as vinyl greenhouses and livestock barns, and requested prompt measures to prevent safety accidents by activating a cooperation system for cities and counties needing help with snow removal equipment or personnel.

Gangwon Province has been operating Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Level 1 since the snowfall began on the 14th, and so far, no casualties or property damage have occurred.

A heavy snow advisory is currently in effect throughout Gangwon Province.

Vehicle Stranded Scene in Goseong-gun
[Photo by Gangwon-do Fire Headquarters]

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, snowfall amounts from the 14th until 3 PM on this day were 57.8cm at Misiryeong, 53.2cm at Hyangrobong, 36.8cm at Jinburyeong, 34.8cm at Seorakdong in Sokcho, 25.7cm at Guryongryeong in Hongcheon, 23.3cm at Osaek in Yangyang, 22.7cm at Jochimryeong in Inje, and 19.8cm at Wangsang in Gangneung.

Most places are expected to see the snow stop tonight, but on the 16th, strong and light snow will repeatedly fall in the Yeongdong area of Gangwon. Snowfall of about 2 to 3 cm per hour is expected.

From tonight, cold air will gradually flow in, and the morning temperature on the 16th will be 5 to 10 degrees lower than on the 15th. Especially, the morning temperature will drop below minus 10 degrees Celsius mainly in northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon Yeongseo, making it very cold.