Governor Kim Dong-yeon Issues Special Directives to Prepare for Heavy Snow and Cold Wave During Lunar New Year Holiday

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 24th that it will activate Emergency Response Level 1 of the Gyeonggi Province Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters from 6 a.m. on the 27th, as heavy snow is expected to concentrate across the province from the morning through afternoon on the 27th during the Lunar New Year holiday period, and heavy snow special warnings are anticipated to be issued in most areas of the Seoul metropolitan region. This is a preemptive measure to address heavy snowfall and minimize inconvenience to residents during the holiday period.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed concern over inconvenience and safety of residents due to heavy snow during the holiday period, and issued directives to each city and county through official notices to: △thoroughly prevent safety accidents by managing situations in preparation for heavy snowfall during the Lunar New Year holiday △make best efforts to secure resident safety during the holiday period by conducting pre-snow removal work and preventing safety accidents from road icing △conduct pre-inspection of facilities at risk of collapse before the holiday and implement pre-evacuation measures in case of heavy snow that could cause collapse.

Additionally, as rapidly dropping temperatures are expected after strong snowfall from the 27th-29th, resulting in icy roads, the governor urged thorough pre-snow removal work to prevent safety accidents among residents including those returning home and visiting for the holiday, as well as tourists.

The province's Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Emergency Response Level 1 will be staffed by 13 personnel including the director of the Natural Disaster Division of Gyeonggi Province, covering road, transportation, and agriculture sectors.

Previously, on the 24th, the province held a "Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Preparedness Briefing Meeting between Province, Cities, and Counties" presided over by Kim Sung-joong, Senior Executive Vice Governor, attended by deputy heads of 31 cities and counties, where it reviewed △status and plans for securing snow removal materials and equipment before the holiday begins △surveillance and inspection plans for snow-vulnerable facilities such as traditional markets and residential vinyl greenhouses △snow removal measures in preparation for road icing (black ice).

Like November of last year, the province is also preparing for unprecedented heavy snowfall that exceeds weather forecasts, conducting pre-holiday inspections of snow-vulnerable facilities with risk of collapse, establishing emergency contact networks and evacuation systems. Additionally, the province conducted a mutual support system review to ensure smooth handling of heavy snow through rapid assistance from adjacent cities and counties when snow removal materials and other disaster resources are insufficient.

As icy roads are expected due to heavy snow during the busy holiday traffic period, the province urged residents to take precautions by paying attention to slipping on snowy roads, reducing speed while driving, and maintaining sufficient safety distance to prevent accidents.