Reservoirs running dry amid protracted heatwave
The average storage capacity of reservoirs in South Korea has fallen sharply due to the weeks of hot and dry weather, raising concerns among local farms ahead of the fall harvest season, a state-run agricultural agency said Tuesday.
The average storage rate of 3,397 reservoirs across the nation stood at 49.3 percent as of Monday, the lowest level this year, the Korea Rural Community Corp. (KRC) said.
The southwestern regions suffered the most from the water shortage, with the capacity in South Jeolla Province falling to 40.6 percent, it said.
The KRC issued a "warning" alert as the rate remained at 67.3 percent of the average capacity from the previous year, noting it has been pumping river water to supply reservoirs and drought-stricken regions. (Yonhap)