A record-breaking snowfall blanketed Seoul on Wednesday, bringing the South Korean capital to a standstill and disrupting travel and power, Bloomberg reports.
The unprecedented 17.2 centimeters of snow, the highest single-day November snowfall in 117 years, caught residents and authorities off guard, leading to widespread travel chaos and power outages.
The unusually heavy snowfall, which began early Wednesday, quickly overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure. Roads and pavements became treacherous, snarling traffic and causing numerous accidents. At least 150 flights were cancelled at Incheon International Airport, including 67 international flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Several areas also experienced power outages due to the weight of the snow on power lines.
The unexpected intensity of the snowfall left authorities scrambling to clear roads and pavements, deploying snowplows and salt spreaders in a bid to restore order. However, the scale of the disruption highlighted the city’s unpreparedness for such a significant November snowfall.
The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued warnings of further snow and rain for Thursday, raising concerns that the disruption could continue for another day.
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