25.09.07.Today News : Gangneung Faces Sudden Water Cuts Amid Severe Drought, Citizens in Panic

Gangneung Faces Sudden Water Cuts Amid Severe Drought, Citizens in Panic

📍Unannounced water outages hit apartments and hotels; growing impact on daily life, economy, and education despite emergency government measures

As Gangneung struggles with one of the worst droughts in decades, unannounced water outages have sparked widespread disruption. Citizens are facing sudden water cuts without warning, leaving households, businesses, and schools in disarray. Despite large-scale emergency measures involving military and government support, frustration and anxiety among residents are only deepening.

Unexpected water outages are occurring one after another in the Gangneung area.

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■ Unannounced water cuts disrupt daily life
“Washing only my face like a cat has become routine. Even in the heat, I can’t wash my hair because I don’t know when the water will stop.” said Kim Seong-yeon (32), a resident of Hoesan-dong. On September 6, her apartment complex experienced a sudden one-hour water outage after the reservoir dropped below 40%. “I was bathing my one-year-old baby when the water suddenly stopped, and I had to finish using bottled water,” she said.

■ Repeated outages cause widespread unease
Other apartment complexes in Hongje-dong and Gyodong also faced multiple hours of water cuts, leaving residents unable to cook or wash. “Not knowing when the next outage will happen is the scariest part,” one resident said. Many households are storing water in basins and buckets in preparation.

■ Online communities reflect growing anxiety
Local online forums are filled with posts considering temporary relocation or school transfers due to the crisis. “My children are getting heat rashes because they can’t wash properly,” one parent wrote. Others complained of increased expenses: “I have to drive long distances to do laundry,” and “Water, laundry, and fuel costs have doubled.”

■ Economic impact on local businesses
The outages are also hurting small businesses. A restaurant owner said, “Customers are uncomfortable using our facilities, and business has dropped sharply.” The crisis is now extending beyond households to the local economy.

■ Falling reservoir levels and military-scale water delivery
The Obong Reservoir, Gangneung’s main water source, has dropped to just 12.6% capacity. In response, 400 military vehicles, naval vessels, coast guard ships, and army helicopters were mobilized, delivering about 30,000 tons of water daily. The National Fire Agency also dispatched water tank trucks nationwide, but the supply remains insufficient.

■ Government response draws criticism
Gangwon Province deployed an additional 100 water trucks and is considering pumping from the Doam Dam in Pyeongchang. Seoul and other cities are also sending water supply vehicles. However, residents criticized the lack of long-term planning, calling current measures “short-term fixes.” Authorities warned that if reservoir levels fall below 10%, stricter measures such as scheduled and alternate-day supply cuts will be enforced.

One-line summary : Gangneung is facing sudden water outages caused by severe drought, disrupting daily life and damaging the local economy.