Relief Rains Bring Hope to Drought-Hit Gangneung in South Korea
Good news for South Korea’s parched city of Gangneung! After 52 long days of dropping water levels, the main reservoir here finally saw a small boost on Saturday, thanks to heavy overnight rains. This comes as a much-needed break in the ongoing drought crisis that’s gripped the region.
The Obong Reservoir, which provides 87% of Gangneung’s drinking water, hit 12.1% storage capacity by 10 a.m. That’s a 0.6 percentage point jump from the day before, according to local weather officials. Located about 210 km east of Seoul, this reservoir has been at the heart of the city’s water woes.
It’s the first time water levels have risen since July 23, but experts warn the drought isn’t over yet. Gangneung declared a national disaster on August 30 due to the severe shortages, forcing strict water rationing that left residents struggling with basics like laundry and showers.
What caused this welcome change? Torrential rains poured down across Gangwon Province’s coastal and mountain areas overnight. Sokcho got a whopping 140 mm, Yangyang saw 100 mm, and Gangneung itself received 91.5 mm by morning. For context, the city hadn’t seen more than 30 mm of daily rain in two months—the last big downpour was 39.7 mm on July 15.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shared his relief on Facebook, calling the rain a small comfort for Gangneung’s suffering residents. "The drought that started on July 6 won’t end with this alone," he wrote, "but I hope it eases the pain from the endless water restrictions." He also promised stronger systems to tackle climate change and prevent future shortages.
Just days earlier, on September 7, emergency teams ramped up efforts to deliver water to the city. Helicopters, fire trucks, and even a Navy ship hauled in 29,793 tons to the Obong Reservoir and Hongje water plant. It’s a reminder of how dire things got amid South Korea’s worst drought in years.
As Gangneung residents breathe a little easier, all eyes are on the weather for more rain to keep this momentum going. Stay tuned for updates on the South Korea drought situation.
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