Interior ministry issues August drought warnings for 48 localities

The interior ministry said Monday that 48 cities and counties were experiencing meteorological drought as of Aug. 1, prompting water-supply measures in southern regions.

Nationwide rainfall over the past six months totaled 603.0 millimeters, or 82.3 percent of the 1991-2020 average. Rainfall in August and September is expected to remain generally below normal before exceeding normal levels in October.

Agricultural reservoirs were 53.2 percent full, below the usual 69.9 percent, with fill rates in southern regions ranging from 54 percent to 76 percent. River water is being transferred to reservoirs and direct supplies provided in the south.

Water supplies for households and industry remain stable overall, despite below-normal storage at dams in the Nakdong and Seomjin river basins. Unmun Dam is at the severe drought stage, while Miryang and Seomjin River dams are at the alert stage.

"We will continue to work closely with relevant ministries to carefully monitor drought conditions nationwide and preemptively manage areas at risk of drought, doing everything possible to minimize harm to the public," Kim Yong-gyun, director general for natural disaster management, said.