Persistent snowfall

At least two people have died, hundreds of flights grounded and power cut to hundreds of homes in the heaviest snowstorm to hit South Korea's capital city in more than five decades.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said that between 20 and 26 centimetres of snow fell across northern parts of Seoul on Wednesday, which was the heaviest in the city in November since 1972 when 12cm fell.
In the town of Yangju, north of Seoul, a garage collapsed and killed a person who was trying to remove snow, South Korea's minister of the interior and safety said.
Another person died and four others were injured in a five-vehicle accident in Hongcheon, about 80 kilometres east of Seoul, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said.
A heavy snow warning issued earlier on Wednesday advised residents to "refrain from operating vehicles and engaging in outdoor activities" during the snowstorm and to "beware of falling trees".
The storm also sparked cancellations or delays of at least 317 flight services across the country and national authorities ordered 90 ferries to remain at port in Seoul, while hundreds of hiking trails were closed.
At least 230 homes in the city of Gwangju, in the country's south, experienced power outages during the storm, according to the Gyeonggi provincial government.
Safety ministry officials were unable to confirm any school closures as a result of the snow, but emergency workers were called to respond to fallen trees, road signs and other debris.
President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the safety and transport ministries on Wednesday to mobilise all available relevant personnel and equipment to "minimise potential damage and public inconvenience caused by the snow".
South Korea's weather agency has forecast the snow to continue in most parts of the country on Thursday, with the interior ministry warning that up to 5cm could fall per hour.
The agency's director, Youn Ki-han, told AFP the heavy snow had been caused by the "significant temperature difference between the sea surface and the cold air".
"Over the West Sea, moisture forms, and when cold air from the north moves down as it typically does, if the West Sea is also cold as in previous years, the temperature difference is smaller," Mr Youn said.
AP/Reuters/AFP