As the drought in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, worsens, the government is pushing to gradually supply alternative water using water drawn from nearby local governments. There are also considerations to utilize the "dead water level" of the Obong Reservoir, a major water source in Gangneung. The dead water level refers to the water volume from the minimum level that can be drawn to the bottom of the reservoir, mixed with sediment at the bottom of the dam, which is water that would typically be unusable.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety noted on the 21st that an emergency meeting of the "Joint Drought Task Force (TF)" among related agencies was held to discuss this matter.
Currently, the Obong Reservoir in Gangneung is revealing its bottom. The water storage rate of the Obong Reservoir is just 20.1% as of that day. The accumulated precipitation in this area over the past six months is about 50% of the normal level, and there is no forecast of rain sufficient to alleviate the drought situation. The city of Gangneung is implementing restricted water supply in most areas, limiting agricultural water supply, encouraging public institutions to conserve water, and running water-saving campaigns, but these efforts are insufficient.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Gangwon Province, and the city of Gangneung reviewed plans for alternative water supply, including utilizing water from nearby local governments and the dead water level. Additionally, it is planned that as the Namdaecheon water development project, supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is completed by the end of this month, 10,000 tons of river water per day will be supplied to the Obong Reservoir. Bottled water will also be provided additionally.