President Lee Jae-myung directed the immediate declaration of a disaster situation regarding Gangneung, Gangwon Province, where the extreme drought has restricted the use of water for daily life, according to the Presidential Office.
According to a written briefing by Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong, President Lee visited the Obong Reservoir, a major water source in the Gangneung area, in the afternoon and said, "To minimize the damage from the drought, the government should mobilize all available resources to minimize inconvenience for residents." The Ministry of the Interior and Safety decided to declare a disaster situation for the Gangneung area as part of a government-wide response starting at 7 p.m. that day.
A disaster situation is an emergency measure declared to minimize damage when a disaster occurs or is anticipated. Once a disaster situation is declared, actions such as mobilizing personnel, equipment, and supplies, providing emergency support, and convening public officials are carried out, along with government-level support. The day before, Gangwon Province had suggested that the government declare a disaster situation as the drought in Gangneung escalated to its worst level.
Previously, disaster situations were declared for the Yangyang forest fire in May 2005, the oil spill accident in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, in December 2007, the Gangwon East Coast forest fire in April 2019, and the forest fires in Uljin and Samcheok, North Gyeongsang Province, in March 2022. This is the first time a disaster situation has been declared due to a natural disaster such as a drought.
On that day, President Lee also ordered the issuance of a national fire mobilization order. He urged that, "As nationwide support is needed for securing drinking water, local governments with some capacity should work together with a sense of community to provide assistance."
Accordingly, the National Fire Agency plans to mobilize a total of 51 vehicles, including 50 water tank trucks and one emergency water supply vehicle. Twelve water tank trucks were dispatched from both Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, while trucks were also sent from North Gyeongsang Province (7), northern Gyeonggi Province (6), Incheon (4), South Chungcheong Province (5), North Chungcheong Province (3), and the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters. About 2,000 tons (t) of additional water supply is expected to be added per day.
The precipitation level in Gangneung over the past six months is only half of the average. Furthermore, the reservoir level of the Obong Reservoir, which supplies 87% of the water for daily life in Gangneung, recorded its lowest level ever at 15.7% (average 71.0%) the day before.
Since the reservoir level fell below 25% on the 20th, Gangneung has implemented restricted water supply measures, shutting off 50% of household meters. If the reservoir level falls below 15%, 75% of the meters will be shut off.