Southern Korea runs dry as rainfall drops to 82% of seasonal average

Drought conditions persist across southern parts of Korea, as nationwide rainfall reaches only about 82 percent of the seasonal average.

Nationwide cumulative rainfall over the past six months, from Feb. 2 to Aug. 1, stood at 603 millimeters (23.7 inches), or 82.3 percent of the seasonal average of 736.5 millimeters, according to the August drought forecast and warning report released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Sunday.

Low rainfall had resulted in drought conditions in 48 cities and counties nationwide as of Aug. 1. The southern parts of North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang were experiencing “normal drought” conditions at the caution level, the third highest in the four-tier system, while Busan, Gimhae in South Gyeongsang and Ulju County in Ulsan were experiencing severe drought, the second-highest level.

Cumulative rainfall in Busan, South Gyeongsang and Ulsan over the same period stood at 555.7 millimeters, just 62.5 percent of the seasonal average of 879.6 millimeters.

Drought conditions at agricultural reservoirs are even more pronounced. The nationwide average reservoir storage rate stood at just 53.2 percent as of Aug. 3.

Reservoir levels in southern regions, which have received particularly little rainfall, are significantly below seasonal averages. This has raised concerns over securing sufficient water for agriculture.

South Gyeongsang had the lowest reservoir storage rate at 39.6 percent, followed by North Jeolla at 44.6 percent, Jeju Island at 48.5 percent, South Jeolla at 48.6 percent and North Gyeongsang at 52.4 percent.

The government is using river water to replenish reservoirs, particularly in southern regions. Water trucks have also been deployed to directly supply water for agricultural use.

Conditions for residential and industrial water supplies, however, remain generally stable.

Water stored at 19 multipurpose dams stands at 104.3 percent of typical levels. Reservoir levels in the Nakdong and Seomjin river basins, however, are below typical levels due to insufficient rainfall. Water storage at 11 multipurpose dams and 10 water supply dams serving the basins is below typical levels.

By dam, Unmun Dam in North Gyeongsang is under the highest drought warning of very severe, while Miryang Dam in South Gyeongsang and Seomjin River Dam in North Jeolla are at the severe level. Seongdeok Dam, Andong Dam, Imha Dam, Yeongcheon Dam in North Gyeongsang and Pyeongnim Dam in South Jeolla are at the caution level.

Residential and industrial water supplies are currently operating normally as drought response measures remain in place. At Unmun Dam, which is under a very severe warning, water from the Nakdong and Geumho rivers is being used as an alternative supply.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecast that rainfall in August and September will generally be below seasonal averages before rising above average in October. This suggests drought conditions are likely to persist for the time being.

“As there is a possibility that the drought could become prolonged, please make thorough preparations to ensure water supplies by actively using emergency alternative water sources,” Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said during a visit to Unmun Dam on Sunday.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a joint meeting on Thursday with relevant agencies to review heat wave and drought response measures, including plans to secure water supplies. The meeting included officials from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the KMA and regional governments.

“We will work closely with relevant ministries to thoroughly monitor drought conditions nationwide and proactively manage areas of concern,” Kim Yong-kyun, head of the Natural Disaster Management Office at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said.

BY KIM MIN-WOOK [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]