ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – South Korea experienced heavy rain and snow early this week, causing travel disruptions and safety concerns, with more wintry weather expected nationwide starting yesterday morning.
The Korea Meteorological Administration reported heavy snow in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, and the Chungcheong provinces overnight.
The snowfall led to several accidents, though no injuries or fatalities were reported by 11 am.
Authorities received four reports of stranded vehicles, resulting in the rescue of 10 people.
Eleven traffic accidents were reported, along with 51 safety-related reports regarding accumulated snow.
By 11 am, 53 ferry services were cancelled, and 10 flights grounded. Thirteen national parks and 13 roads were closed to ensure public safety.
In Gangwon Province, as many as 23 reports were made to authorities between Sunday and 10am. In Gangwon Province alone, a total of 18 people were rescued and transported to medical facilities between Sunday and Monday morning.
Much of Gangwon Province had 10-30 centimetres (cm) of snow, with mountainous areas the worst hit, reporting up to 49.6cm as of Monday at 6am Eastern Gyeonggi, North Chungcheong, and northern North Gyeongsang saw five to 15cm, while Uljin-gun and Mungyeong received 24cm and 15.6cm, respectively.
Areas without snow saw rain, with Seoul receiving 22 milimetres (mm), Hwaseong and Chungju 35mm, and mountainous parts of Jeju up to 82mm as of 6am on Monday. Most of the central regions lifted their heavy snow advisories as of 11am Monday, but advisories remained in place.
