Continuous Heavy Snow in Gwangju Causes Potholes Throughout Downtown... City Focuses on Restoration

185 Potholes Repaired Since the 3rd
Up to 15 cm of Snow Expected Through the Weekend

Pothole Repair. Yonhap News

Due to the continuous heavy snowfall and snow removal operations, potholes have appeared in various parts of downtown Gwangju, prompting the authorities to begin repair work.

According to Gwangju City and related authorities on the 6th, the city repaired 185 potholes from the 3rd to the previous day. After addressing 120 cases on the 3rd, 65 more were repaired the day before.

The city is currently monitoring pothole conditions, conducting emergency repairs, and performing snow removal operations simultaneously on 378 city-managed road routes covering 597 km, including Mujindaero and Bitgoeuldaero.

Gwangju's local government plans to focus fully on snow removal and, once the snowfall subsides, shift to full-scale pothole repairs. An emergency response team will be formed by mobilizing not only its own personnel and equipment but also private specialized companies.

Potholes are depressions that form on road surfaces due to asphalt cracks, commonly occurring when melted snow seeps into the road, freezes, and thaws repeatedly. The main cause of potholes is calcium chloride, which is spread during snow removal. When calcium chloride penetrates the cracks in the road, it can create pot-shaped holes in the asphalt.

Potholes are difficult to see until approached closely, making them highly likely to cause accidents and often resulting in damage to tires and wheels.

A Gwangju City official stated, "We are concerned that potholes will occur in earnest once the snow stops," and added, "We plan to carry out snow removal and road repairs to ensure citizen safety."

The highest recorded snowfall in the Gwangju area from the 3rd to the previous day was 12.2 cm (Gwangju Gwangsan). Due to the influence of a pressure trough moving southward on northwesterly winds, snow is expected to fall from the night of the 6th until the 7th in Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. Over these two days, 5 to 10 cm of snow is expected in Gwangju and Jeonnam, with some areas in Gwangju and the northwestern part of Jeonnam seeing accumulations of more than 15 cm.