Heavy snowfall disrupts flights and light rail service in South Korea

Heavy snow fell in mid-March, causing the cancellation of 8 flights. The Uijeongbu Light Rail was suspended for 2 hours.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 2 p.m. on the 18th, a heavy snowfall warning has been issued mainly for the eastern coast and mountain areas of Gangwon, some inland areas of Chungcheong, eastern Jeolla, and parts of Gyeongsangdo. In the Gangwon mountain areas, about 8 cm of snow is expected per hour, while other regions may see accumulations of 1 to 5 cm per hour.

From 8 p.m. the previous day to 2 p.m. that day, the maximum snowfall recorded was 11.9 cm in northern Seoul, 13.8 cm in Uijeongbu, 13.9 cm in Janghowon, 42.3 cm in Hyangnobong, Gangwon, 14.3 cm in Hwacheon, 11.5 cm in Dangjin, Chungnam, and 15.4 cm in Jin-an, Jeonbuk. The maximum snowfall refers to the depth of snow that has accumulated the most during that time.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, no facility damage occurred due to the heavy snowfall. Six people from Uljin, North Gyeongsang, evacuated in advance, but all returned home by 8:30 a.m. that day. A total of 406 trails in 15 national parks, including Seoraksan and Odaesan, have been closed.

Eight flights were canceled, including 1 at Gimpo Airport, 3 at Jeju Airport, 2 at Wonju Airport, and 2 at Yeosu Airport. The operation of 90 passenger ships was suspended on 69 routes, including from Geogpo to Wido, Gunsan to Eocheong, Mokpo to Hongdo, Daecheon to Oeyeon, and Yeosu to Geomun. Roads were controlled in 9 locations, including 2 in Gangwon, 3 in Chungbuk, 2 in Gyeongnam, 1 in Jeonnam, and 1 in Gyeongbuk.

The Uijeongbu Light Rail, which operates on an elevated overpass, suspended operations on all sections around 5:15 a.m. that day. Service resumed 2 hours and 10 minutes later, during which commuters faced inconveniences. The service was interrupted as the track signal detectors were covered in snow.

Accidents occurred on snow-covered roads. Around 12:45 a.m. that day, a passenger car in Sangnok-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, crashed into a central divider, resulting in the death of a 20-something Uzbek driver. At approximately 7:45 a.m., a 5-ton cargo truck skidded on the snowy road and overturned near the Seosang Interchange (IC) on the Tongyeong-bound Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway in Hamyang County, Gyeongnam.

Around 6:18 a.m., a collision occurred between vehicles at the entrance to the Jeongneung Tunnel in the direction of Seongsan on the Inner Circular Road. At about 6:36 a.m., a van skidded on the snow-covered Seongsu Bridge and crashed into the central railing. There were no casualties in either incident.

Around 10:41 a.m. that day, a 42-car pileup occurred when a vehicle skidded in the Choaamsan Tunnel on the Namhae Expressway in Gyeongbuk. Eleven individuals, including the driver and passengers, were injured and transported to the hospital by the fire authorities. One sustained serious injuries, while ten had minor injuries. It is reported that the incident began when a 45-passenger tourist bus skidded on the snow and crashed into the central divider.