South Korea grapples with heaviest snowstorms in over a century

The biggest snowstorms in 117 years hit South Korea, causing the deaths of at least five people. Fatalities were recorded in Gyeonggi province. Three of them died when structures collapsed under the weight of the snow, and two were victims of road accidents that occurred on highways east of the capital.

According to the "Radio Zet" portal, locally in Seoul, more than 41 centimetres of snow were recorded, which paralyzed local transport. The Ministry of the Interior reported numerous communication disruptions. Branches, unable to bear the weight of the snow, fell on power lines, breaking them and leaving many residents without electricity. Many roads and railway lines were blocked.

Heavy snowfalls led to the cancellation of 156 flights, including 114 international ones. Disruptions also affected ferry and rail transport. In a pileup involving 53 vehicles in Gangwon province, 11 people were injured. The cause of the accident was black ice.

Meteorologists indicate that the snowstorms are the result of temperature differences between the relatively warm sea surface west of the Korean Peninsula and the cold air flowing over the country.

On Thursday morning, a measurement at one meteorological station in the city showed that the snow layer was 28 centimetres thick. Meteorologists point out that this is "rare not only in November but also in winter." The record for snowfall was set in Seoul on March 24, 1922, when 30 centimetres of snow fell.

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, Wednesday's snowfall was the third-largest recorded in the country's capital since measurements began in 1907. The meteorological situation has slightly improved now.