The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said it would lift the "Gangneung drought disaster situation" as of 6 p.m. on the 22nd. A disaster situation due to drought had been declared in the area as of the 30th of last month.
The government said, "This measure was taken following a recommendation to lift the declaration, considering the stable water source secured in Gangwon Province and concerns about local economic contraction during the Chuseok holiday." Accordingly, the National Fire Agency's national firefighting mobilization order and the Ministry of Environment's drought advisory and warning levels were also lifted.
As of 4 p.m. that day, the storage rate of Obong Reservoir, a major water source in Gangneung, rose to 60%. This is enough to supply domestic water to Gangneung City for about 200 days. Earlier, on the 12th, the Obong Reservoir storage rate had fallen to the minimum level of 11.6%.
Gangneung City said it would lift, as of the 19th, the restricted water supply implemented mainly at 123 large-scale users to minimize inconvenience to citizens, but continue water-saving efforts such as conservation measures.