Up to 12.8 cm of Snow in Gwangju and Jeonnam... Damage Reports and Transportation Restrictions Continue

Six Reports of Slip-and-Fall Accidents, No Serious Injuries
Operations Suspended on 35 Passenger Ferry Routes... Heavy Snow Warnings Issued for Nine Cities and Counties in Jeonnam

On the morning of the 21st, when a heavy snow warning was issued for some areas of Gwangju and Jeonnam, vehicles were moving slowly in the snow on Mujin-daero, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

Heavy snowfall in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions has led to reports of accidents such as slips and falls, as well as ongoing transportation restrictions on passenger ferries and roads.

According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration on January 22, heavy snow of about 2 centimeters per hour is falling, especially along the western coast of Jeonnam. As of 6 a.m. that day, the highest recorded snow depths were 12.8 centimeters in Yeonggwang, 12.3 centimeters in Jindo, 7.9 centimeters in Hampyeong, 6.4 centimeters in Mokpo, 6.1 centimeters in Unnam, Muan, and 1 centimeter in Gwangju.

There have also been reports of damages such as slip-and-fall accidents due to the snowy roads. So far, there has been one report of snow-related damage in Gwangju and five in Jeonnam, but no serious injuries have been reported.

Adverse weather conditions have also led to transportation controls. Access to trails in four national parks has been restricted, operations of 36 passenger ferries on 35 routes and 14 Jindo island ferries have been suspended, and four roads-including Jindo Gundo Route 15, Muan Mannam Road, Mokpo Dabujat Road, and Yudalsan Ring Road-are currently closed.

As of now, heavy snow warnings are in effect for nine cities and counties in Jeonnam, including Haenam, Mokpo, Shinan, Jindo, Yeongam, Muan, Jangseong, Hampyeong, and Yeonggwang. Snow is forecast to continue mainly in Gwangju and the western part of Jeonnam through January 24.

The severe cold spell caused by cold air moving down from the north is also ongoing. On the morning of January 22, the lowest temperatures were recorded at -15.2 degrees Celsius at Seongsamjae in Gurye, -14 degrees at Mudeungsan in Gwangju, -10 degrees at Baegunsan in Gwangyang, -9.4 degrees at Okhwa in Gokseong, and -9.1 degrees in Damyang.

Local governments in Gwangju and Jeonnam are conducting snow removal operations, particularly in areas vulnerable to freezing, and are preparing for both the cold wave and heavy snow. An official from the Gwangju Meteorological Administration stated, "Due to low temperatures and heavy snowfall, we urge people to pay special attention to traffic safety and health management."