On the 1st, when heavy rain warnings were issued for Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong, the precipitation in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, was 0 mm until noon. Not a drop of rain fell. It wasn't until the evening that the rain began, amounting to just 1.2 mm for the day. In Sokcho on the same day, the precipitation was 13.5 mm. The two cities on the eastern coast of Gangwon exhibited a difference of 12.3 mm in daily rainfall.
Currently, Gangneung is experiencing a "severe drought." From January to August this year, precipitation in Gangneung was recorded at 404.2 mm, the lowest since weather observations began in 1911, over the past 114 years. The supply of tap water for general households has been reduced to a quarter of the usual amount. The supply of agricultural water has also been halted. Hotel swimming pools and public restrooms are also closing.
◇ The rain clouds from the West Sea are blocked by the Taebaek Mountains, the rain clouds in the East Sea remain in the north, and there are no typhoons...
Experts analyze three main reasons for the severe drought occurring in Gangneung.
First, it is said that rain clouds that developed over the West Sea moved eastward, hitting the Taebaek Mountains, resulting in rain falling only in the Yeongseo region while the Yeongdong region remained dry. In Cheorwon, located in the Yeongseo region, 1,095.6 mm of rain fell from January to August this year, more than double that of Gangneung. Particularly, when comparing the summer (June to August) precipitation of the two regions, Cheorwon received more than four times the amount of rain than Gangneung.
Additionally, the rainclouds on the East Coast remained in the north and did not move down south. Sokcho, located north of Gangneung, received 509.5 mm of rain from January to August this year, over 100 mm more than Gangneung. A representative of the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration noted, "This summer, the north-south width of the rainclouds along the Gangwon East Coast was extremely narrow," adding, "While the rainclouds remained in Sokcho to the north, they did not move down to Gangneung, which is farther south."
Furthermore, no typhoon accompanied by heavy rain has occurred this summer. In 2002, during Typhoon "Rusa," Gangneung experienced nearly 900 mm of heavy rain in a single day. So far this year, a total of 14 typhoons have formed, but none have impacted Korea. This is in stark contrast to 1 to 3 typhoons affecting Korea each August from 2018 to 2024.
◇ Donghae and Samcheok received less rain than Gangneung, but there are no issues with water supply
Among the cities on the eastern coast of Gangwon Province, there are places where less rain fell than in Gangneung. The precipitation from January to August this year in Donghae and Samcheok was recorded at 307 mm and 283 mm, respectively. Both areas are located south of Gangneung. A representative of the Gangwon Meteorological Administration stated, "Donghae and Samcheok also received less precipitation because the rain clouds did not come down from Sokcho, which is north."
While Gangneung is experiencing a severe drought, Donghae and Samcheok are not facing the same situation. Donghae City is currently not conducting water restrictions. A representative from Donghae City stated, "The storage levels of the Dalbang Dam supplying water to Donghae City are sufficient."
In Samcheok City, some villages that rely on valley water are experiencing disruptions in their water supply, and they are providing bottled water and other supplies. Although some reservoirs are implementing limited agricultural water supply, there is no problem in supplying domestic water to Samcheok citizens using local river water. A representative from Samcheok City stated, "We are utilizing the water from Osipcheon as our source, and there are currently no issues."