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March Heavy Snowfall in Gangwon Mountainous Areas Aids Drought Relief
March Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Transportation and Causes Accidents
Heavy snowfall blanketed mountainous areas, including Daegwallyeong-myeon in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province, for two consecutive days. Trees were thickly covered in snow, creating a scene reminiscent of mid-winter. A heavy snow advisory was issued for Gangwon's mountainous regions yesterday (12th), with over 30cm of snow accumulating. Specifically, Hyangnobong recorded 76cm and Guryongnyeong recorded 46cm of snow. In the Daegwallyeong area, snow was deep enough to reach an adult's knees, leading to delayed commutes and multiple traffic accidents on snowy roads. Local authorities deployed snowplows to clear roads, and residents were busy shoveling snow from village paths and their yards.
Much-Needed Snowfall Alleviates Severe Drought Conditions
Despite the inconveniences, this snowfall is expected to greatly contribute to alleviating the severe winter drought. Last winter, precipitation in the Gangwon region was only 56% of the annual average, and the Gangwon Yeongdong region received a mere 38%, indicating severe drought conditions. While resident Go Ui-seok expressed discomfort, stating he 'woke up to this unusual state,' another resident, Kim Hwa-soon, shared optimism, saying, 'The snow needs to come, it's hard to clear, but with the snow, the soil gets moisturized, and farming will do well.' Hiker Lee Dae-seok, who visited to enjoy the snowy landscape, expressed great satisfaction, noting it was 'a complete snow-covered mountain with no visibility ahead.' The snowfall has also temporarily reduced the risk of forest fires.
*Source: YouTube: SBS News (2026-03-13)*
