Drought in Southern Regions to Continue Next Year... Government Actively Pursues Water Supply Securing Measures

Miryang Dam, Gyeongnam [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The government announced on the 13th that it will actively pursue water supply measures, anticipating that drought conditions will continue in the southern regions next year.

The recent six-month nationwide cumulative rainfall (931.4mm) announced by the government on this day is about 94% of the average, but the southern regions have received only 62-82% of the average rainfall, resulting in ongoing meteorological drought. The government forecasts that meteorological drought in the southern regions will generally persist, as rainfall is expected to be similar to or less than the average until February next year.

The nationwide average reservoir storage rate for agricultural reservoirs is 96.6% of the average, mostly normal, but the storage rates in Jeonnam and Jeonbuk, where rainfall is low, are about 77% of the average. The current growth status of open-field crops such as garlic and onions is generally good, and since water demand for winter field crops is low, concerns about field drought are expected to be minimal.

The storage rates of 20 multipurpose dams and 14 water supply dams, which are major sources of domestic and industrial water, are at 99.6% and 96.1% of the usual levels, respectively. However, the Juam, Suo, Pyeongnim, and Seomjingang dams in Jeonnam and Jeonbuk have low storage rates, placing their dam management standards at the 'serious' level, and Hapcheon Dam in Gyeongnam is at the 'attention' level. Additionally, emergency water supply restrictions are being implemented for 9,922 households and 17,916 people in island and mountainous areas such as Jung-gu and Ongjin in Incheon, Jindo, Wando, and Hwasun in Jeonnam, Andong in Gyeongbuk, and Tongyeong in Gyeongnam.

The government plans to expand linked operations between dams and reservoirs and develop alternative water sources for Dongbok Dam in Gwangju to secure water. It also intends to diversify drinking water sources in island areas such as Jeonnam and provide early support of 11.8 billion KRW for water development projects. Lee Hangyeong, Director of Disaster Management at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "The government plans to do its utmost to secure water in cooperation with local governments until the drought is resolved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.