Winter Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Preparedness Interagency Countermeasure Meeting
On the 11th, Pohang City held a 'Winter Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Preparedness Meeting' chaired by Vice Mayor Jang Sang-gil, entering an emergency system to protect citizens' safety from winter disasters.
Pohang City held the "Winter Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Preparedness Meeting with Related Agencies" on the 11th, chaired by Vice Mayor Jang Sang-gil. Photo by Pohang City
The city decided to focus administrative efforts on preventing damage in advance by analyzing previous damage cases, as heavy snow and cold wave damage frequently occur among low-income vulnerable groups.
At the meeting, a total of 21 departments, including 13 related departments such as road facilities and 8 affiliated organizations such as the Marine Corps 1st Division, participated jointly to share winter weather forecasts and check preparations by each department and organization.
From the 15th of this month to March next year, during the 'Winter Natural Disaster Intensive Countermeasure Period,' the city will share the 'Winter Disaster Countermeasure Promotion Plan' with related organizations to establish an efficient and organic disaster response system and focus all efforts on proactive, field-centered responses.
This year, as climate change becomes normalized, the issuance of weather warnings is on the rise due to uncertainties in forecasting heavy snow and cold waves, and especially with forecasts predicting a record-breaking cold wave, the importance of thorough preparation was agreed upon.
The city will strengthen damage prevention for vulnerable groups and facilities, conduct intensive public awareness campaigns, and implement proactive comprehensive responses centered on the field by insulating meters and water pipes, pre-inspecting agricultural, livestock, and fishery facilities, and reinforcing damage prevention measures.
Additionally, winter heating costs will be supported for low-income elderly living alone, 619 cold wave shelters will be operated and inspected, and cold wave mitigation facilities such as windproof installations at smart bus stops will be strengthened.
Furthermore, by sharing real-time weather information, snow removal, control, and damage status in real time, a collaborative system will be established, and winter action guidelines will be disseminated to citizens through disaster text messages and village broadcasts as part of intensive public awareness efforts.
In particular, for freezing-prone sections such as mountain passes and roads, pre-application of snow removal agents and enhanced surveillance activities will be conducted, and priority restoration of essential facilities such as gas, water supply, and electricity will be promoted, mobilizing all available personnel and resources to support rapid snow removal and facility restoration.
The city plans to minimize damage through rapid situation dissemination and initial response using the disaster safety communication network between related organizations and field departments, and if any risk signs threatening citizens' safety are detected, close cooperation between agencies will ensure proactive measures are taken on-site.
Vice Mayor Jang Sang-gil said, "As a record-breaking cold wave is expected this year, please concentrate administrative efforts to establish thorough preparedness to prevent human and material damage," and added, "Citizens are urged to pay special attention to safety by refraining from entering dangerous areas when heavy snow and cold waves are expected."
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