Four killed and flights cancelled In Seoul
Heavy Snowfall in Seoul: Deadly Chaos and Transport Disruption
Seoul, South Korea’s vibrant capital, has been overwhelmed by one of its most severe snowfalls in over a century, causing widespread chaos and claiming four lives. As the city grappled with hazardous conditions for a second consecutive day on Thursday, flights were cancelled, ferry operations halted, and infrastructure strained under the unprecedented winter onslaught.
Record-Breaking Snowfall
Thursday’s snowfall ranked as the third-heaviest recorded in Seoul since meteorological tracking began in 1907, according to Yonhap News Agency. The preceding day shattered all previous records for November, with over 40cm (16 inches) of snow accumulating in parts of the city by early Thursday morning. Though heavy snow warnings were lifted in the metropolitan area by mid-morning, the impact was already profound.
Lives Lost Amid Structural Failures
Tragic incidents unfolded as the relentless snowfall exerted pressure on structures. Late Wednesday, a snow-laden net at a golf range collapsed, killing one person and injuring two others. Similarly, a protective tent in a car park succumbed to the weight of the snow, resulting in another fatality.
Elsewhere, traffic accidents linked to the treacherous conditions added to the death toll. Two lives were lost on highways east of Seoul, while a massive 53-vehicle pile-up in Wonju, Gangwon province, injured 11 people on Wednesday evening.
Transport Crippled
Seoul’s main international gateway, Incheon Airport, bore the brunt of the disruptions, with passengers enduring delays averaging two hours. Flightradar24 reported that 14% of flights experienced delays, and 15% were outright cancelled. By Thursday, 142 flights were grounded, and ferry services across 76 routes were suspended. Reports indicated train services also faced significant delays.
Schools and Authorities Respond
Authorities in Gyeonggi province, bordering Seoul, granted schools permission to close if conditions warranted. Meanwhile, emergency services and local governments continued their efforts to manage the crisis, clearing roads and assisting affected residents.
A Climate Anomaly
Meteorologists attributed the unseasonable snowstorm to warmer-than-usual seawater temperatures west of the Korean Peninsula, which interacted with cold air currents to produce the heavy precipitation. Neighboring North Korea also reported significant snowfall, with over 10cm (4 inches) falling in some regions between Tuesday and Wednesday.
This extraordinary weather event has underscored both the beauty and brutality of nature, leaving Seoul to contend with its aftermath while bracing for the challenges of the season ahead.
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