Up to 40cm Heavy Snow Warning in Honam... Series of Traffic Accidents

Mountain Roads and Passenger Ship Operations Restricted

Gwangju and the Jeonnam and Jeonbuk regions are forecasted to receive heavy snowfall until the 9th. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Heavy snowfall has blanketed Gwangju and the entire Jeonnam and Jeonbuk regions, resulting in icy roads and a series of traffic accidents on slippery surfaces.

According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration as of 9 a.m. on the 7th, the highest recorded snow depths were 6.3 cm in Hampyeong-gun, Jeonnam, 6.2 cm in Sijong-myeon, Yeongam-gun, 6.1 cm in Yuchi-myeon, Jangheung-gun, 6.0 cm in Yeonggwang-gun and Yeongam-gun, 5.9 cm in Muan-gun, and 4.6 cm in Gwangju.

Currently, heavy snow advisories have been issued for 11 cities and counties in Gwangju and Jeonnam (Jangseong, Muan, Yeongam, Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, Naju, Jangheung, Jindo, Mokpo, Shinan, and Haenam). The snowfall is expected to continue until the 9th, with predicted accumulations of 5 to 15 cm and more than 20 cm in some areas.

In Jeonbuk, snow depths have reached 7.6 cm in Sunchang, 5.8 cm in Jangsu, 5.6 cm in Buan, 5.4 cm in Gochang, 4.2 cm in Jeongeup, and 0.1 cm in Gunsan. Currently, heavy snow advisories are in effect for Gochang, Buan, Jeongeup, and Sunchang, and up to 40 cm of snow is forecast for the province by tomorrow.

Two single-vehicle accidents have occurred in Gwangju and Jeonnam. Additionally, three slip-and-fall accidents were reported in Gwangju and one in Jeonnam due to icy roads, prompting fire authorities to take safety measures or transport victims to hospitals. Around 4 a.m. on this day, a car skidded on a snowy road in Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, resulting in minor injuries to the driver, who was transported to a hospital.

Mountain roads and passenger ferry operations have been restricted. Access to national parks such as Mudeungsan, Naejangsan, and Wolchulsan has been limited, and vehicle movement is currently restricted on mountain roads including 14 km of Nogodan Road in Gurye, 6.8 km of Dotjae in Hwasun, 2.3 km of Sakjae in Hwasun, and 3 km of Dumojae in Jindo. Out of 80 ferries on 53 routes connecting Jeonnam, operations have been suspended on 22 ferries across 19 routes.

An official from the Meteorological Administration stated, "In areas experiencing snowfall, vehicles must reduce speed, and special attention should be paid to preventing damage to livestock barns, greenhouses, and other vulnerable structures."