Korea – Heavy snowfall sets new record

[Mark]

Yesterday’s snowfall in South Gyeongsang set a new record for December, said the KMA.
 
Heavy snowfall is rarely seen in the southern port city.
 
Soldiers were mobilized yesterday morning to remove snow from roads in front of tollgates near the Baekyang Tunnel in Sasang District, Busan. As snow was not cleared in time, dangerous roads caused traffic jams during rush hour. [NEWSIS]
 
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said yesterday the Chungcheong and southern regions of the country, including Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang, had heavy snow from 1 to 3 a.m.: 31 centimeters (12 inches) on Ulleung Island; 20 centimeters in Geoje, South Gyeongsang; 16 centimeters in Hapcheon; 14.6 centimeters in Jinju; 15.5 centimeters in Daegwanryeong; 12.4 centimeters in Daegu and 8.5 centimeters in Gumi as of press time.
 
Residents in the southern and Chungcheong regions had to deal with snow and icy roads all day long as local governments in the area poorly managed the situation.
 
About 20 roads in Busan, 24 roads in South Gyeongsang, 11 roads in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, and eight roads in Ulsan as well as roads in mountain regions were closed.
 
Busan Police said it took more than two hours to travel the two-kilometer (1.2-mile) Gaya Boulevard that connects the Seomyeon and Dongseo overpasses.
 
“Media reported heavy snow last night, but I don’t see any civil servants removing the snow,” a Busan citizen said.
 
Most flights at the Daegu, Gimhae and Ulsan airports were canceled.
 
In areas around Changwon Tunnel and Bulmosan Tunnel, where there are steep roads, vehicles without snow chains were stuck on the icy roads for three to four hours.
 
http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2964653

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