Incheon prepares a comprehensive contingency plan against natural disasters in winter for better stability and safety in at-risk areas vulnerable to natural disasters
Incheon now has a new “Comprehensive Winter Natural Disaster Contingency Plan” to ensure the safety of its citizens and minimize any inconveniences from heavy snowfall or cold waves this winter.
Over the past decade, the average winter temperature in Incheon has dropped by -0.27 ℃ compared to the average temperature in past years (0.00 ℃ ),whereas average precipitation has increased by 14% from the past averages (62.8 ㎜ ) to 71.95 ㎜ . Moreover, although the average severity of snowfall has decreased, the city is seeing more snow days at 24.3 days compared to previous years (22.1 days). This winter, Incheon is anticipating severe temperature drops, but precipitation is expected to remain similar to normal years.
Accordingly, the city administration has decided to keep a close eye on heavy snowfall and cold waves until March 15, 2023, and focus on minimizing any damage caused by natural disasters with preemptive response measures at the scene of heavy precipitation or cold waves and close collaboration with other relevant organizations.
▲ The city administration has decided to keep a close eye on heavy snowfall and cold waves until March15, 2023, and focus on minimizing any damage caused by natural disasters with preemptive response measures at the scene of heavy precipitation or cold wave sand close collaboration with other relevant organizations.
Incheon plans to conduct thorough scientific analysis and manage situations preemptively with staff on standby 24 hours a day at the Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. It will use closed circuit (CC) cameras and TVs across the city, and also establish a public-private-military-police cooperation system for swift responses in the field. This new system will help reinforce the safety management for at-risk areas/facilities or those vulnerable to natural disasters, and provide the required training for effective disaster response.
The city administration is hoping to push for contingency measures with more practical responses to disaster situations as well. Incheon will strengthen its safety management and real-time forecasting and forecasting for structures vulnerable to snow and areas vulnerable to freezing. It is also looking to promote customized snow-clearing measures that take into account different road conditions by strengthening its collaboration with agencies tasked with managing the roads across the city. Incheon is ready to promote safety measures for different areas that could affect the lives of its citizens, such as recommending an adjustment to commute sand school times during heavy snowfall, preemptively spraying snow removal agents, increasing the number of buses or trains, and restoring essential daily facilities ahead of other non-essential facilities.
The city also plans to secure temporary housing facilities and supplies for disaster relief in case vulnerable individuals and households are affected by cold waves, etc. - a total of 1,110 cold wave reduction facilities and 786 cold wave shelters will be available this winter. Incheon will strengthen other support initiatives such as safety inspections and visits to the elderly vulnerable to disasters using “disaster helpers,” protection activities for the homeless and residents of temporary housing, and energy vouchers for at-risk individuals or families.
Not only that, the city administration is hoping to use emergency text messages to promptly spread natural disaster situations such as heavy snowfall and share what the public should do to avoid any accidents or damage.
