Schools Closed, Traffic Paralyzed


By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter



Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, right, shakes hands with soldiers who were deployed for emergency work in Naju, South Cholla Province, after a heavy snow storm caused major disruptions in the city. Yonhap

Up to 54 centimeters of heavy snow fell on North and South Cholla Provinces and other parts of the peninsula Wednesday, causing damage and disruption.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecasts that some 30 cm of snow will fall on the mountainous areas of Cheju Island and 25 cm on South Cholla Province and 5-15 cm on South Chungchong Province Friday.

The KMA said that a cold snap accompanied by strong gusts will also grip the nation Friday, pushing the mercury down to minus 10 degrees Celsius in Seoul, Suwon and Chongju, and minus 14 degrees in Chunchon.

A weather forecaster said that the cold snap will prevail until early next week, alerting people to further damage from freezing temperatures and heavy snows.

Heavy snowstorms Wednesday forced parts of the highway linking South Cholla Province to temporarily shut down while snow was removed from the roads.



A driver puts snow-chains under tires of his car in Chonju, North Cholla Province, Wednesday, after a heavy snow storm hit the city. Yonhap

According to the Korea Airports Corporation, heavy snow and strong winds forced 111 flights connecting Seoul to provincial areas to be grounded.
Flights bound for Cheju, Kwangju, Yosu, Mokpo, Ulsan, Pohang, Taegu and Kimhae were cancelled.

In Kwangju city and South Cholla Province, 500 kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools will temporarily close down today due to the snowstorms.

Chongup in North Cholla Province has received 54 cm of snowfall, while Kunsan has recorded 19 cm.

Some 18 cm of snow has fallen in Imsil and 32 cm in Kwangju Wednesday.



A house is covered in snow in Naju, South Cholla Province, Wednesday, after a heavy snow storm hit the North and South Cholla Provinces. Yonhap


The KMA yesterday issued heavy snow warnings on Changsong, Hampyong, Yongkwang in South Cholla Province and Kochang, Puan, Kunsan, Kimje in North Cholla Province.
The weather agency said that Seoul, Kyonggi and Kangwon provinces will receive 1 cm of snow Friday, while Ullungdo and Dokdo will receive 5-15 cm and Chungchong and Cholla provinces about 5-25 cm.

South Cholla Province has been dealt a serious blow by the heavy snowstorms, which began on Dec. 4 with an estimated 211.8 billion won in damages.

The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs has decided to provide about 800 million won in emergency aid for the region hardest hit by the heavy snowfall.

The government’s grants will be spent on restoring collapsed greenhouses, barns, farmhouses and other facilities.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr