South Korea's Yeongcheon Dam enters drought 'caution' stage amid low rainfall

The Yeongcheon Dam, a critical water source for the cities of Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongcheon, and Gyeongsan, has officially entered the "caution" stage of drought alert. This designation signifies a potential disruption in water supply and necessitates immediate water conservation measures.

As of early Tuesday, the dam's water levels have become a growing concern. The region has experienced significantly less rainfall than average since September 21, 2023. The dam's watershed has received only 266.3 millimeters of rain, which is just 82% of the typical 323.5 millimeters expected during this period. This deficit has resulted in the dam's inflow being lower than its daily water supply output.

To mitigate the impact of the drought, the government has announced plans to drastically reduce water allocation for non-essential uses. River maintenance and water quality improvement water will be cut by up to 78%, and agricultural water usage will be reduced by as much as 93%. In parallel, authorities are exploring the possibility of increasing water intake from the Hyeongsan River, should its water quality and flow remain adequate, to supplement the supply for domestic and industrial use.

The Yeongcheon Dam is not the only reservoir in the Nakdong River basin facing water shortages. The Andong Dam is currently in the "attention" stage, while the Miryang Dam and the Unmun Dam are also at the "caution" stage, highlighting a broader regional issue with water availability.