Jeongeup, Sunchang, Buan... All-out Efforts to Respond to Heavy Snow
At 1:40 a.m. on the 7th, a heavy snow advisory was issued for three cities and counties in North Jeolla Province (Jeongeup, Sunchang, Buan).
The provincial government activated Level 1 emergency operations of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in preparation for the heavy snow, and announced that it is making every effort to respond to the snowfall in order to minimize inconvenience and damage.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the snowfall is expected to begin on the west coast and southern inland areas on the 7th, and expand to all areas of North Jeolla Province in the afternoon.
The expected snowfall is 10 to 20 cm (with some areas on the west coast exceeding 30 cm and over 40 cm in the southern inland), raising the possibility of heavy snow. The authorities urged special caution against the collapse of weak structures such as livestock sheds and greenhouses, trees falling, icy roads affecting traffic and pedestrian safety, and accidents involving hikers.
The provincial government will carry out the spreading of snow-melting agents such as calcium chloride to prevent accidents caused by icy roads on major mountain passes and commuting routes. They will also maintain a communication system for facility inspections to prevent damage to vulnerable structures like livestock sheds and greenhouses, and conduct repairs and reinforcements to minimize property damage, while continuously promoting safety guidelines to residents.
The province announced that on the 9th, the coldest temperatures of this winter are expected, with lows of -12 to -7 degrees Celsius and highs of -7 to -2 degrees Celsius. In preparation for the temperature drop, the government plans to send text messages and village broadcasts to advise vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and people with chronic illnesses to refrain from outdoor activities.
In addition, cold wave mitigation facilities such as heated benches and windbreaks will be operated and inspected regularly, and disaster helpers will check in on disaster-vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone through phone calls and visits.
Oh Taekrim, Director of the Provincial Safety Office, said, "As heavy snowfall is expected in the west coast and southern inland areas of North Jeolla Province today, we will do our best in snow removal, damage prevention, and the safety management of facilities vulnerable to snow accumulation. We also urge residents to take precautions for health management and fire prevention, such as safe use of heating devices, during the cold wave."
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