Over 200 water tankers sent to southern province to combat drought

SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - Some 200 water tankers and 400 firefighters have been deployed to South Gyeongsang Province to provide emergency water supplies amid prolonged dry conditions exacerbated by recent extreme heat, fire authorities said on Wednesday.

The emergency water supply to run for two days until Thursday comes as drought conditions have worsened across the southern region after weeks of dry weather, with no rainfall from late June to mid-July.

These medium-sized trucks, which can carry between 6,000 and 12,000 liters of water, will supply agricultural and household water after being distributed across 14 cities and counties there, depending on the severity of the drought.

About 40 trucks will be deployed to Miryang, which faces the most severe shortages, while Jinju, Sacheon and Gimhae will receive 20 each, Yangsan will receive 18, and the remaining trucks will be deployed to other drought-affected areas.
  According to the province, the average storage rate at agricultural reservoirs stood at 33.3 percent this summer, less than half the normal level of 70.9 percent. Drought alerts have also been issued in 17 of the province's 18 cities and counties, with Geoje, Haman and Miryang at the highest "severe" level.

Drought damage has also affected some 2,121 hectares of farmland including rice paddies and fields growing fruits and vegetables.

The nationwide mobilization of fire personnel came after government authorities determined that local resources alone were insufficient, making it only the second such case, following a similar measure for Gangneung, Gangwon Province in August last year.

AJP Takeaways:
- South Korea deployed 200 water tankers and 400 firefighters to South Gyeongsang Province on Aug. 12, 2026, to provide emergency agricultural and household water amid worsening drought and extreme heat.
- The emergency water supply operation will run for two days through Aug. 13, 2026, with the water tankers distributed across 14 cities and counties based on drought severity; each truck can carry 6,000 to 12,000 liters of water.
- Miryang will receive the largest allocation of 40 water tankers, while Jinju, Sacheon and Gimhae will each receive 20 and Yangsan will receive 18, as Miryang faces some of the province's most severe water shortages.
- South Gyeongsang Province's agricultural reservoir storage rate fell to 33.3 percent in summer 2026, less than half the normal 70.9 percent level, with drought alerts issued in 17 of the province's 18 cities and counties.
- Drought has damaged about 2,121 hectares of farmland in South Gyeongsang Province as of Aug. 12, 2026, including rice paddies and fields growing fruits and vegetables; the nationwide fire mobilization was only the second such deployment for drought after Gangneung, Gangwon Province, in August 2025.