Seoul Deploys 10,000, Gyeonggi Over 3,000 for Snow Removal
Snow Removal Across Roads, Subways, Airports, and Forests
On the 22nd, when a heavy snow warning was issued across Seoul, managers were clearing the snow accumulated at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted rain or snow in most parts of the country that day. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@
On the 27th, as the first snow and heavy snowfall poured mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, there were people busier than anyone else: public officials and employees of public institutions.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government elevated its snow removal emergency duty to Level 2 from 7 a.m. that day, working together with autonomous districts and related organizations to respond to snow removal. According to the Level 2 snow removal measures, the city deployed 9,685 personnel and 1,424 snow removal equipment to cope with the snowfall. They are fully committed to ensuring no vehicle congestion by immediately responding with snow melting agents or snow removal work such as pushing snow accumulated on roads.
Kim Seong-bo, Director of the Seoul Disaster and Safety Office, said, "Seoul will thoroughly respond according to the Level 2 snow removal measures to prevent any inconvenience to citizens caused by the snowfall," and added, "We also ask citizens to actively use public transportation rather than private cars on their way to work."
On the afternoon of the 27th, when heavy snow fell in Seoul and other central regions, employees are clearing snow at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Gyeonggi Province has been operating Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Emergency Level 1 since the previous day. The Emergency Level 1 system is staffed by 16 people, including the head of the Natural Disaster Division of Gyeonggi Province, responsible for roads, railways, agriculture, and other sectors. Gyeonggi Province is conducting snow removal work by mobilizing 2,128 pieces of equipment and 3,184 personnel, spreading 9,488 tons of snow removal agents. A Gyeonggi Province official said, "We plan to continue snow removal work focusing on vulnerable areas such as back roads and slopes."
Incheon City and 10 counties and districts also deployed 237 personnel and mobilized 148 snow removal vehicles for snow removal work that morning. Gangwon Province started operating Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Emergency Level 1 from 10 p.m. the previous day. A total of 492 people are on emergency duty in the province and each city and county, and a large number of snow removal equipment and personnel are being deployed to clear the snow.
On the morning of the 27th, when heavy snow fell, an excavator is transferring snow removal sand to a snowplow at the Jongno Snow Removal Base in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Snow removal personnel were also deployed at airports. According to Korea Airports Corporation and Incheon International Airport Corporation, as of 9 a.m., 12 flights scheduled for that day were canceled. A total of 38 flights were delayed: 27 at Gimpo, 7 at Jeju, 3 at Gimhae, and 1 at Yeosu.
In case of weather deterioration due to heavy snowfall, de-icing and anti-icing operations are required for the safe operation of aircraft, which takes time. Snow removal personnel and equipment such as snow removal vehicles, solid spreaders, and excavators are deployed for snow removal work on runways, taxiways, and aprons, and various equipment and tools are used to spread calcium chloride and urea. Snow also accumulates on aircraft bodies during waiting for operation and needs to be removed. During this process, schedule adjustments are made, causing connecting flights to be canceled or delayed.
On the morning of the 27th, in the Soya-ri area of Deokjeok-myeon, Ongjin-gun, Incheon City, where a heavy snow warning was issued, Ongjin-gun officials are conducting snow removal work using vehicles. Photo by Yonhap News
Officials from the Korea Forest Service are also strengthening safety inspections of forest multi-use facilities in areas where snow damage is expected. Lim Sang-seop, Administrator of the Korea Forest Service, said, "We are conducting snow removal work on icy roads and access roads within multi-use facilities and maintaining a constant response system by mobilizing snow removal vehicles and equipment," and urged, "Since a large amount of snow is expected, please refrain from using forest multi-use facilities and outdoor activities."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
