Gyeonggi Province forecasts severe cold wave throughout region from 25th...Province activates cold wave response system immediately

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] As a severe cold wave is forecasted across Gyeonggi Province from the 25th, the province has taken preemptive measures including activating a joint dedicated task force for initial response to the cold wave to prevent casualties and minimize inconvenience to residents.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that a cold wave special advisory may take effect in multiple cities and counties in the province from the night of the 25th, with the lowest temperature on the morning of the 26th expected to range from minus 16 degrees to minus 11 degrees Celsius, the coldest this winter.

In response, Gyeonggi Province will activate its joint dedicated task force from the morning of the 25th and operate an emergency response system with 7 divisions and 12 departments including situation control, welfare, and water supply. The province plans to strengthen preventive measures such as protecting vulnerable groups, inspecting facilities, and preventing frozen pipes by real-time monitoring of cold wave advisory situations together with cities and counties.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon had previously conveyed special directives to 31 cities and counties on the 23rd, urging △strengthened check-ins and protective activities for cold wave vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone and homeless people △thorough measures to prevent crop cold damage and livestock deaths △promotion of water facility freeze prevention and prompt recovery when damage occurs △active promotion of cold wave safety guidelines through available media including emergency disaster text messages and village broadcasts.

When a cold wave special advisory takes effect, Gyeonggi Province will immediately operate extended cold wave shelters and emergency evacuation centers and intensively check whether they operate at night and on weekends, while strengthening street counseling and patrols in homeless-concentrated areas to make every effort to prevent casualties caused by the cold wave.