A record-breaking snowfall in Seoul in 100 years paralyzes the city: chaos, accidents, and power outages
The heaviest snowfall in 117 years has disrupted movement in Seoul, left homes without power, and caused numerous accidents. Authorities are warning of additional snowfall throughout the week.
Photo: pixabay.com
On November 27, Seoul and surrounding areas were covered by a snowfall unseen in 117 years. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), 18 cm of snow fell in the capital, setting a record for November since observations began in 1907, reports yna.co.kr. The previous record was 12.4 cm, recorded on November 28, 1972.
The unusual weather conditions have caused severe consequences. In northern areas of Seoul, such as Seongbuk and Gangbuk, snowfall exceeded 20 cm.
In the Songpa District, three people were injured when a protective barrier at a construction site collapsed, with one person suffering serious injuries.
In Seongbuk, 170 homes were left without electricity due to fallen trees damaging power lines. Other areas of the capital also experienced power outages.
The snowfall affected neighboring regions as well. Incheon recorded 14.8 cm of snow, while Suwon saw 21 cm, setting new records.
In Gangwon Province, traffic accidents were reported, resulting in one fatality and nine injuries.
The situation also disrupted transportation. A total of 150 flights were canceled, including 71 from Incheon International Airport.
Additionally, 89 passenger ferries were halted, and access to seven national parks was restricted.
Seoul authorities began clearing the snow at 7 a.m., deploying municipal services and district administration staff. To prevent traffic congestion, peak hours for subways and bus routes were extended.
Authorities are urging citizens to exercise caution on the roads, warning of the risk of accidents and injuries on icy sidewalks. The snowfall is expected to continue until the end of the week, particularly in central and southern regions of the country.
Earlier reports mentioned that a powerful storm with winds reaching 46 m/s hit western Norway, causing mass flight cancellations and leaving hundreds of homes without electricity.
It was also reported that the tropical storm "Sara" changed its course, bringing devastating floods to Central America, threatening lives and disrupting the plans of thousands of tourists.