Seoul experiences its heaviest snowfall in a century, with 40 cm of snow falling. Tragically, there have been casualties. (video)

A powerful snowstorm blanketed the capital region of South Korea, particularly Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, where over 40 centimeters of snow was recorded. In the city of Yongin, located 40 kilometers south of Seoul, the snow depth reached 47.5 cm, while the Seoul districts of Gwanak and Seongbuk received 40.2 cm and 27.1 cm, respectively. This was reported by Yonhap.

Wednesday will be remembered in history for Seoul as the day the city experienced the most intense November snowfall since modern records began in 1907 — measuring 16.5 cm.

The heavy snowfall caused significant transportation disruptions. Authorities closed several roads in Seoul and surrounding areas due to fallen trees, particularly in the Gwangjin district. Train services in the capital faced delays due to the need to clear tracks of snow and branches.

More than 11,000 workers and nearly 20,000 pieces of equipment were mobilized to clear the snow from the roads in the city. Subway operations during peak hours were extended by one hour. In the northwestern Mapo district, 750 households lost power due to fallen trees, and another 270 experienced water supply interruptions due to downed power lines.

The snowfall also impacted school operations. In Seoul, three educational institutions closed, while 27 schools adjusted their schedules to start classes later. Additionally, 114 international flights and 28 domestic flights were canceled.

The storm led to tragic incidents. On Thursday in Yongin, a 60-year-old man lost his life when a tree fell on him during snow clearing efforts. The day before, on Wednesday, another individual died in the city of Pyeongtaek due to the collapse of a structure at a driving range.

Reuters reports at least five fatalities.

It’s worth noting that on November 7, snow appeared on the summit of Mount Fuji in Japan, although this typically occurs in October.