The drought situation in Tongyeong City, South Korea, has escalated to a 'Caution' level as the water level at the Yokji Dam, the main water source for the region, has dropped to 30.9% capacity. This decline has been significant, with a notable decrease from the 41% recorded when the 'Concern' level was announced earlier. Rainfall in the past six months has been only 74% of the average, exacerbating water scarcity conditions.

In response to the increasing severity of the drought, Tongyeong City officials will reduce the previously implemented water supply limit from 5 hours to a range of 2-4 hours per day. Currently, the city is supplementing water supply by transporting water via ships from nearby areas and also channeling water from local rivers and groundwater to the Yokji Dam. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security is proactively supplying 10,000 bottles of drinking water to Yokji Island to mitigate the impacts of the water shortage.

Additionally, Climate Policy Director Kim Ji-young visited the Yokji Dam to assess the situation and evaluate ongoing projects aimed at enhancing water resources on Yokji Island, such as the groundwater reservoir dam project slated for completion in 2027 at a cost of 6.2 billion KRW that aims to supply 260 tons of water daily. The Yokji Dam, serving a population of around 1,943 residents on the island, recorded an average water intake of 1,003 tons per day last year, highlighting the critical need for water conservation measures as the region grapples with its drought conditions.