National Fire Agency Issues Second National Mobilization Order for Gangneung Drought, Deploys Additional Water Tank Trucks Nationwide

Second Mobilization Order Issued Just Nine Days After the First

The National Fire Agency has issued a second national fire mobilization order to Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, where the supply of domestic water is at risk due to an extreme drought. An additional 20 large-capacity water tank trucks from across the country will be deployed to provide emergency water supply support.

On September 7, the National Fire Agency announced, "We are issuing an additional mobilization order to respond to the severe drought damage in the Gangneung area." The fire trucks mobilized in the second round are scheduled to gather at Gangbuk Public Stadium in Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung at 11 a.m. on September 8 to begin full-scale water supply support operations.

On the morning of the 31st of last month, fire trucks and firefighters gathered at Gangbuk Public Stadium in Yeongok-myeon, Gangneung City, Gangwon Province. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Fire Headquarters

Previously, on August 30, following the declaration of a disaster situation, the first mobilization order was issued, and 50 water tank trucks and one water supply and drainage support vehicle were dispatched to the site. After one vehicle returned, 50 vehicles have remained in operation so far. With the addition of 20 more vehicles this time, the total number of vehicles supporting water supply in Gangneung has reached 70.

However, the reservoir water level continues to decline. As of 1 p.m. on September 7, the Obong Reservoir in Gangneung was at 12.6%, which is only about one-sixth of the average level (71.2%). The level is decreasing by 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points per day on average, making disruptions to the domestic water supply inevitable. The Obong Reservoir supplies 87% of Gangneung's domestic water.