District mobilizes full resources through March 15, 2027 to minimize resident disruption and ensure safety
Seoul's Gangseo-gu will operate a 24-hour emergency response system for four months through March 15, 2027, to prepare for winter natural disasters.
The district held the inaugural ceremony for its 2026/2027 Snow Removal Command Center at the district office's general situation room on Friday, conducting a final review of its comprehensive winter snow removal plan, including the status of equipment and materials secured and personnel deployment arrangements.
District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon will head the command center, which will shift into emergency operations across four alert levels — Attention, Caution, Alert and Serious — depending on weather conditions.
Particularly this year, the district has stepped up its preparedness in response to forecasts that El Niño will increase the likelihood of sudden cold snaps and heavy snowfall.
To handle snowfall, the district has mobilized 1,681 snow removal workers and secured 223 pieces of equipment — including large spreaders and snow removal vehicles — along with 2,617 tons of de-icing agents.
Smart snow removal equipment has also been significantly expanded, with a focus on chronic icing zones and steep slopes. Road heating systems have grown from 15 to 28 locations with the addition of 13 new sites, and automatic brine-spraying devices that activate based on road surface conditions have increased from 91 to 100 units.
Snow removal operations during morning and evening rush hours will also be reinforced to minimize inconvenience to residents. Dedicated personnel will be stationed at major thoroughfares, central bus stops and sections prone to snow and ice, with response tailored to sidewalk conditions.
Alongside this, the district plans to focus on securing safety along access roads and surrounding areas of welfare facilities primarily used by vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and the elderly.
The district said it will pursue a comprehensive snow removal strategy centered on minimizing traffic disruption from heavy snowfall, preventing damage to facilities and protecting residents vulnerable to cold weather.
"What matters most is that snow removal measures work swiftly and thoroughly on the ground," District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "Given that experts are warning of heavy snowfall due to El Niño, I urge everyone to devote all efforts to snow removal preparations that are thorough and airtight — even to the point of seeming excessive."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
