Governor Kim Jin-tae: "Emergency Drought Response Continues Despite Rain... All-Out Efforts to Secure Water for Gangneung"

Governor Kim: "Rain Has Come, But We Must Remain Vigilant" - Press Briefing
Over 100mm of Rain in Gangneung Over the Weekend Raises Reservoir Storage Rate to 16.3%
Securing Water Resources Through Expansion of Namdaecheon Pump Capacity, Doam Dam Release, and More

After suffering from a prolonged drought, the Gangneung area finally received much-needed rain over the weekend, raising hopes for relief from the drought. However, Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated that it is too early to be complacent. He emphasized that the province will continue to respond to the disaster situation and make every effort to secure additional water resources.

Jin Tae Kim, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, is explaining the drought response situation in the Gangneung area during a press briefing on the 15th. Provided by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

Governor Kim announced the current status of the drought response in the Gangneung area during a press briefing on the 15th.

Over the weekend, more than 100 mm of rain fell in Gangneung, increasing the water storage rate of the Obong Reservoir, the main source of drinking water for Gangneung citizens, from 11.5% on Friday last week to 16.3% as of 9 a.m. on the 15th. Since it takes time for rainwater from upstream areas to flow into the reservoir, the storage rate is expected to rise further in the coming days.

In particular, as it takes time for rainwater from upstream areas such as Sapdangnyeong and Wangsan to flow into the reservoir, the storage rate is projected to increase further for the time being.

The province has made multifaceted efforts to respond to the current drought situation.

So far, to secure water resources, the province has: developed water from the Namdaecheon River and supplied 5,877 tons to the Obong Reservoir; developed groundwater wells along the Namdaecheon River to supply 2,000 tons to the Hongje Water Purification Plant; used a high-capacity spraying system to supply 5,740 tons from a temporary intake station on the Namdaecheon River to the Hongje Water Purification Plant; and deployed a total of 513 vehicles from military units and fire departments to deliver 9,408 tons of water. In total, the province has secured an average daily water supply of approximately 30,000 to 38,000 tons, with an expected supply of about 44,000 tons on the 15th.

Additionally, the province has implemented on-site rotation shifts for command staff to ensure a swift response. Since September 10, it has operated a Civil Support Headquarters to provide comprehensive livelihood support measures, including the distribution of bottled water, deployment of water tankers, protection of vulnerable groups, and support for small business owners.

Going forward, in cooperation with Gangneung City, the province plans to further strengthen pumps and pipelines to supply additional water to the Hongje Water Purification Plant by expanding the pump capacity for the Namdaecheon River water development project, releasing water from the Doam Dam, channeling water from the Sacheon Reservoir, and maintaining the Namdaecheon River bed.

Governor Kim Jin-tae stated, "For the first time in a while, Gangneung received substantial rainfall over the weekend, so we expect the reservoir storage rate to increase further for the time being. However, since the amount is still insufficient, we will continue to respond to the disaster situation and do our utmost to secure additional water resources."

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