A severe drought in South Korea has left the Okjeongho reservoir at 19.6% capacity [1], exposing the lakebed in Gimje city.
The water shortage threatens agricultural stability in the southern region, where below-average rainfall has depleted critical reservoirs used for farming and local consumption.
National precipitation has reached only 82% of the climatological average [1]. This deficit has caused a sharp decline in reservoir inflows, transforming previously full bodies of water into narrow streams. In North Jeolla Province, the Okjeongho reservoir serves as a primary indicator of the crisis, falling well below the national average reservoir level of 47.8% [1].
The crisis extends across several southern provinces. In Gyeongsangnam-do, reservoirs in Miryang, Geoje, and Ham-an have all dropped below 40% [1]. Local officials said 58 municipalities are experiencing meteorological drought and 56 regions are suffering from agricultural drought [1].
Government monitoring has categorized the severity of the water shortage across various locations. Currently, 15 locations are classified as "alert," 20 as "caution," and 18 as "interest" [1].
Local residents expressed concern over the lack of significant rainfall to reverse the trend. Jeong Nam-soo, a resident in the affected area, said the drought is likely to cause many problems. He said that while rain is needed, small amounts of precipitation will not solve the issue [2].
The exposed lakebeds in Ok-san-dong highlight the scale of the evaporation and lack of replenishment. As the dry spell continues, the gap between the national average and the critical lows in the south suggests a regional imbalance in water security [1].
“Okjeongho reservoir water level has dropped to 19.6% capacity.”
The disparity between the national average reservoir level and the critical lows in the southern provinces indicates a localized climate crisis. With over 50 regions facing agricultural drought, South Korea may face reduced crop yields and increased food price volatility if the precipitation deficit is not corrected by significant rainfall.
