Holding a Countermeasure Meeting with Related Agencies
[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a meeting with related agencies on measures against heavy snow and cold waves during the Lunar New Year holiday to prepare safety measures, as snow is falling mainly in the central region from the morning of the 20th ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, and temperatures are expected to drop sharply after snow or rain across most of the country from the 22nd to the 24th.
This holiday is the first Lunar New Year after the lifting of social distancing due to COVID-19, and with a large number of people expected to travel to their hometowns, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged the following key management points to minimize damage and inconvenience to the public caused by snowfall and severe cold waves.
During the holiday period, related agencies were instructed to check the emergency duty participation institutions and personnel to ensure prompt response without any gaps in safety management, and to immediately disseminate information and respond to emergencies upon the announcement of weather warnings.
Since temperatures are expected to drop sharply after snow and rain, raising concerns about accidents due to icy roads, de-icing agents will be preemptively spread on major roads and sections vulnerable to freezing, and road users will be promptly informed about road conditions and unexpected situations to prevent any damage.
De-icing measures will also be prepared for alleys, side streets, and bus stops closely related to daily life, and rapid snow removal will be carried out with thorough follow-up snow removal to prevent public inconvenience.
Additionally, as heavy snow is expected mainly in the Jeolla region and Jeju Island, guidance has been strengthened to conduct pre-inspections and thorough roof snow removal for structures vulnerable to snow accumulation such as vinyl greenhouses and livestock barns, and residents are advised to evacuate in advance if warning signs appear.
Furthermore, the Ministry requested active dissemination of prevention guidelines for cold-related illnesses, water pipe and meter freezing, and road slip accidents using various media.
Lee Hangyeong, Director of Disaster Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, “Heavy snow and rapidly dropping temperatures are expected to cause traffic disruptions on the way to and from hometowns,” and added, “As the President also urged thorough implementation of multifaceted safety measures during the Lunar New Year holiday on the 20th, related agencies will strive to minimize public inconvenience through meticulous situation management.”
He continued, “We ask the public to check weather conditions and road status, reduce speed on icy roads, and drive safely to ensure a safe trip home, and to actively participate in snow removal in front of their homes and stores.”
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