Heavy Snow Forecast in Gangneung and Pyeongchang Until the 21st
Inspection of Snow-Prone Facilities and Mutual Priority Snow Removal Among Agencies
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 18th that it has established damage prevention measures in response to the forecast of heavy snowfall in the Gangwon region, the host area of the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
On the same day, a countermeasure meeting was held under the chairmanship of Kim Kwang-yong, Director of the Natural Disaster Division of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with participation from 7 central government ministries, 5 cities and provinces, and related organizations to discuss key management issues and response plans by each agency.
On the 9th, when a heavy snow warning was issued, citizens were moving while being covered in snow. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged focused management to prevent safety accidents caused by snow accumulation and icing on facilities and roads, as heavy snow is forecasted in Gangneung and Pyeongchang, Gangwon, until the 21st, with snow and rain expected to fall together.
First, safety inspections and damage prevention activities will be strengthened for snow-vulnerable facilities such as prefabricated houses, vinyl greenhouses, livestock barns, and aging buildings, as well as multi-use performance halls, sports facilities, and temporary structures within stadiums. In case of risk of collapse, preemptive evacuation and other measures will be implemented.
Additionally, snow removal will be prioritized mutually among agencies on boundary roads and connecting sections between regions to prevent any insufficient snow removal areas. Inspections will be intensified on icing-prone sections such as bridge and tunnel entrances and exits, and thorough de-icing work including pre-application of de-icing agents will be requested.
Director Kim stated, "The government will work with local governments and related agencies to minimize public inconvenience caused by snow and rain by thoroughly conducting snow removal on major roads as well as follow-up snow removal on sidewalks, side streets, and alleys, which are daily life roads."
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