The Nation, Parched with Thirst

Water, water, water… The whole nation is suffering from the worst drought. The volume of water is extremely low in both dams and reservoirs. Water supply restriction zones are expanding to the central south and other areas. The drought will continue until the end of this month.

According to the Korean Meteorological Administration, the amount of the average precipitation of the nation from early March to the present is only 31 percent of the average amount of the precipitation for the last 20 years. Especially, the average precipitation in the Kyunggi Province during this period amounts to 36.2 mm, which is the total amount of two-day rainfall during the rainy season.

The administration forecasted that the drought in the central Peninsula will not be over soon because the seasonal rain front, which will begin at the end of June, will be formed only around the southern area.

The rate of the volume of water kept in Soyang River Dam is only three fourth (34.1 percent) of the average rate. Along with Soyang River Dam, the rate of the volume of water kept in 11 multi-purpose dams is only 35.4 percent of the average rate (41.9 percent). The rate of the volume of agricultural water in the 17,965 reservoirs is only 66 percent compared with the average rate of 73 percent

Drinking water is also in short supply. 114000 people in fifty-seven villages have had water usage restricted. Except for the 52 percent of the nation, which has the mega-water supply, the rest of the nation is suffering short water supply.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said that ``we’ve just passed the crisis since the 82 percent of the nationwide transplantation of rice-seedlings has been completed.`` However, if the drought continues, transplanted rice-seedlings will not be able to take root properly.

Crops like peppers, sesame and beans are withering in the northern Kyunggi Province. The damage done by this year’s drought is spreading to the central Peninsula.

The quarrel over water between residents and regions is occasionally taking place. Some experts warned that conflict or dispute over water might take place in a near future like `war of water` between Israel and other Arab countries to secure Jordan River in Middle East. Also, it is pointed out that the government should reexamine the whole `water management system`, as the government only takes temporary measures for drought.

Lee Jung-Jun, dean of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University, emphasized that ``Ministry of Construction and Transportation is arguing for the construction of dam again through this drought, and the environmental organizations are negative about the dam construction. The government should prepare a comprehensive plan with the exact prediction of water supply.``

Jung Young-Gwan yongari@donga.com