What Efforts is South Korea Making to Combat Water Shortages in Gangneung?
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Synopsis
As South Korea's eastern coastal city of Gangneung grapples with alarming drought, authorities are mobilizing extensive resources to mitigate the crisis. Helicopters, military vehicles, and naval support are set to deliver crucial water supplies to the region. The state of disaster declaration highlights the urgency of the situation.
Key Takeaways
- Significant water shortages are affecting Gangneung, South Korea.
- Emergency response includes military and naval support.
- The government has declared a state of disaster.
- Water supply restrictions are being enforced to conserve resources.
- The situation highlights the need for sustainable water management.
Seoul, Sep 7 (NationPress) An all-out initiative has been launched on Sunday to ensure water supply to Gangneung, the eastern coastal city in South Korea facing severe drought conditions, officials reported.
Helicopters, fire trucks, and a Navy vessel are scheduled to transport 29,793 tons of water to the Obong Reservoir, which serves as the city's primary source, along with the Hongje water purification plant throughout the day, according to officials from the city and Gangwon Province.
The government officially declared the drought situation in Gangneung as a state of disaster on August 30, following a record low water storage level of 15.7 percent in the reservoir that supplies domestic water to 180,000 residents, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Despite ongoing attempts to restore the water supply, the reservoir's levels have continued to decline, reaching 12.6 percent by 11 a.m. on Sunday, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the prior day.
Officials noted that around 400 military vehicles, two Coast Guard and Navy vessels, five Army helicopters, and numerous civilian resources will be deployed on Sunday to assist with the city's water supply efforts.
On Saturday, the city began restricting water access for major users operating tanks over 100 tons, which includes 113 residential complexes housing approximately 45,000 households and ten large accommodation facilities.
The city plans to use water trucks for delivery once the existing water tanks are depleted.
If the reservoir's water level drops below 10 percent, further conservation measures will be enacted for the Hongje plant, which services 53,483 water meters.
In the first stage of this plan, water supply will be limited from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and in the next phase, the restrictions will occur every other day.
Point of View
It is imperative that the government not only responds to this crisis with immediate action but also implements long-term strategies to prevent future water shortages. The situation in Gangneung serves as a wake-up call about the importance of sustainable water management in South Korea.
NationPress
07/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the drought in Gangneung?
The drought in Gangneung is attributed to a combination of climate factors and insufficient rainfall, leading to critically low water levels in the Obong Reservoir.
How is the government responding to the water crisis?
The government has declared a state of disaster and is deploying helicopters, military vehicles, and naval support to deliver water supplies to the affected areas.
What measures are being taken to conserve water?
The city is implementing water restrictions, including limiting supply to major water users and planning further conservation measures if levels fall below 10%.
How many residents are affected by the water shortages?
Approximately 180,000 residents in Gangneung rely on the Obong Reservoir for their household water supply.
What will happen if the reservoir levels continue to drop?
If water levels continue to decline, the city will enforce stricter conservation measures and limit water access further.
