Yeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province will officially implement the "2025-2026 Comprehensive Countermeasures for Winter Natural Disasters (Heavy Snowfall and Cold Waves)" during the winter natural disaster response period, which runs from November 15 of this year to March 15 of next year.
This plan has been established to proactively respond to increasingly frequent abnormal weather events such as heavy snowfall and cold waves, with the aim of ensuring citizen safety and minimizing daily inconveniences.
Yeongju City is holding a countermeasure meeting to prepare for natural disasters in winter. Photo by Yeongju City
The city will operate its Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to maintain a 24-hour situation management system and strengthen on-site response capabilities by reporting directly to the deputy mayor. In addition, real-time weather conditions will be monitored using 11 snow measurement stations across towns and districts and disaster surveillance CCTV. Information will be quickly disseminated through a disaster information sharing network with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, North Gyeongsang Province, and related agencies.
To respond to heavy snowfall, the city has secured 880 tons of de-icing agents and 188 snow removal vehicles (including 158 tractors). Automatic brine spraying systems will be operated at 15 key urban locations to prepare for heavy snow and icy conditions. The city will also work with the local autonomous disaster prevention team to provide prompt snow removal in vulnerable areas such as sidewalks and village roads.
To prepare for cold waves, 164 senior centers and village halls will be designated and operated as cold wave shelters. The city will provide heating cost support for senior centers and operate a monitoring system for cold-related illnesses. Safety management will also be strengthened through inspections of agricultural and livestock facilities, prevention of water supply facility freezing, and emergency replacement of water meters.
In addition, the city will continue the "Shovel Snow in Front of My House and Store" campaign and plans to provide guidance on citizen action tips for heavy snowfall and cold waves through various channels, including disaster text alerts, village broadcasts, electronic displays, and public transportation advertisements.
Yu Jeonggeun, Acting Mayor of Yeongju City, stated, "We will establish a proactive, field-oriented response system to prepare for unpredictable abnormal weather and do our utmost to ensure practical safety management that citizens can feel in their daily lives."
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