KMA Forecast... Full-Scale Response to Heavy Snow Starting 11 PM on the 26th
Governor Kim Dong-yeon Urges "Thorough Preparedness for Heavy Snow Response"
Gyeonggi Province activated Emergency Level 1 of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters from 11 p.m. on the 26th, following the issuance of a preliminary heavy snow advisory for all areas of Gyeonggi Province. The province also held an emergency meeting with city and county officials chaired by the First Deputy Governor to fully prepare for the first heavy snowfall.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted up to 20 cm of snow in Gyeonggi Province from early morning on the 27th until the 28th. Accordingly, the province plans to operate Emergency Level 1 of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters starting at 11 p.m. on the 26th to respond to the heavy snow. Under Emergency Level 1, a total of 16 personnel, including the head of the Natural Disaster Division of Gyeonggi Province, will be on duty covering roads, railways, and agriculture sectors.
As heavy snow is expected to begin in the early morning hours, the province will proactively monitor road snow accumulation, deploy snow removal equipment in advance, and pre-distribute de-icing agents to alleviate traffic congestion during the morning commute and enhance pedestrian safety.
Gyeonggi Province has secured 147,000 tons of de-icing agents and 6,344 snow removal vehicles, which is 215 more than last year. To ensure rapid snow removal and minimize safety accidents, the number of automatic brine spraying devices has increased by 65 from last year to 754 locations (covering 362.2 km). Additionally, the province operates 46 heated road sections (7.8 km), an increase of 15 locations, expanding infrastructure to prepare for heavy snowfall.
Furthermore, a snow removal cooperation system has been established to ensure swift and simultaneous vehicle flow on metropolitan area (Seoul and Incheon) access roads, adjacent cities and provinces (Gangwon and Chungcheong), and boundary roads between cities and counties.
On the same day, Gyeonggi Province shared these measures during an emergency response meeting chaired by First Deputy Governor Kim Seong-jung with city and county officials.
Earlier that morning, Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province expressed concern about residents' safety due to the heavy snow expected on the 27th and 28th, and issued instructions via official letters to each city and county to: △ thoroughly prevent safety accidents among residents through proactive situation management in cooperation with local governments in preparation for the first snowfall △ systematically prepare in advance based on real-time weather information to prevent icy roads △ establish a heavy snow response system by pre-checking and deploying snow removal materials and equipment △ conduct pre-snow removal work and manage vulnerable structures and disaster-prone areas to prepare for traffic congestion, accidents, and pedestrian safety during commuting hours.
Given the anticipated icy roads caused by heavy snow, Gyeonggi Province urged residents to be cautious of slipping on snowy paths when walking and to drive slowly and maintain sufficient safety distances when operating vehicles to prevent safety accidents.
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