South Korea is grappling with the devastating consequences of a severe winter storm that has claimed at least four lives and brought widespread chaos to the country. The heavy snowfall, which continued for a second consecutive day on Thursday, November 28th, has shattered records and crippled transportation networks. This marks the third-heaviest snowfall in Seoul since record-keeping began in 1907, according to Yonhap news agency, citing data from the city.
The intensity of the storm became immediately apparent on Thursday morning. By 8:00 AM local time, over 40 centimeters (16 inches) of snow had accumulated in parts of Seoul. This unprecedented snowfall forced the cancellation of more than 140 flights at Incheon International Airport, the country’s main airport. Passengers faced average delays of two hours, with Flightradar24 data revealing that 14% of flights were delayed and 15% cancelled. While heavy snow warnings were lifted by 10:00 AM in the Seoul metropolitan area, the damage had already been done.
The storm’s deadly impact was felt beyond flight disruptions. Tragically, at least four people perished due to the extreme weather conditions. One person died and two others were injured when a snow-laden net collapsed at a golf range late on Wednesday. A similar incident occurred at a car park, resulting in another fatality. Adding to the grim toll, at least two more deaths were reported in traffic accidents on highways east of Seoul. One particularly devastating incident involved a 53-vehicle pile-up on a highway in Wonju, Gangwon province on Wednesday evening, leaving 11 people injured according to police reports.
The disruption extended beyond air travel. Ferry operations were completely suspended on 76 routes, affecting 99 ferries. Train services also experienced significant delays, further compounding the transportation crisis. The impact of the storm wasn’t limited to South Korea; neighboring North Korea also experienced significant snowfall, with over 10 centimeters (4 inches) reported in some areas between Tuesday and Wednesday, as stated by the Korean Central Television.
The severity of this winter storm highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure and the significant human cost of extreme weather events. The ongoing recovery efforts will require substantial resources and coordination across various agencies. This unprecedented event serves as a stark reminder of the potential impact of severe winter storms and the importance of preparedness and effective emergency response mechanisms.
