Overview of National Drought Forecasting and Warnings

Background and Basis

• Systematic Measures for the Integrated Management of Water Resources was enacted (National Policy Coordination Meeting, September 24th, 2015)
• The decision to establish the National Drought Information Analysis Center was approved by the Ministry of Environment for enhancing the national drought forecasting and warning capabilities to preemptively respond to droughts
• Analyze and provide drought status and forecast information on a national, regional, basin, and local scale. This information is accessible to all stakeholder including the general public to support advanced responses to droughts systematically.

Progress

• September 24th, 2015 : Enactment of Legislation on the establishment of a national drought forecast and warning system (National Assembly Session on Policy Coordination)
• November 27th, 2015 : National Drought Information Analysis Center officially opened(Korea Water Resources Corporation)
• February 24th, 2016 : Drought forecast and warning execution plans approved (the 3rd Water Management Council)
• March-December 2016 : Pilot operation of the National Drought Forecast and Warning System (First implemented on March 10th, 2016)
• Jan. 2017-present : Normal operation of the National Drought Forecast and Warning System

Main Contents

• (Issuance criteria) Issuance by areas and water use / four steps (warning, caution, severe, very severe)

• Announced by the Minister of the Interior and Safety (jointly with relevant organizations)
• (When) The 10th day every month, anytime as necessary
• (Areas) Special, Metropolitan, Self-Governing cities and provinces (167 localities)
• (Contents) 1-,2-, or 3-month forecasts
• (How) The categorized meteorological, domestic, industrial, and agricultural water-related data is color coded on the map to indicate the severity of forecasts and warning in regions and localities

Investigation on Drought Status

Background and Basis

• Jan. 2018 : Designate contract agency for drought investigation and monitoring (revision in Dec. 2022 (No. 2022-234)
• 「Act on Water Resources Investigation, Planning and Management」 Article 7 ‘Drought Status Investigation

Main Contents

• Preliminary Investigation : Basic investigation for drought data, including the national water supply system and status
• Status and Forecast Analysis : Issuance of drought forecasts and warnings for domestic and industrial water sectors
• Impact and Damage Investigation : Investigation of drought impacts and damages

Establishment of Drought Prone Areas

Background and Basis

• 「Act on Water Resources Investigation, Planning and Management」 Article 7 Construction of Maps for Drought Prone Areas

Main Contents

• Purpose : prepare a support foundation for preemptive drought responses and damage reduction measures through drought vulnerability assessments by region
• Service available through the National Drought Information Portal (drought.go.kr) (Dec. 2023-present)

Drought Support Services

Provide customized drought information and support necessary for drought management, such as drought response, education data requests, etc.

• Review and suggest viable drought measures related to national plans
• Use know-how, experience, and experts from water management-specialized organizations
• Support consultation with related departments for national support

National Drought Information Portal

The portal system provides a range of drought information to the government, localities, and people for preemptive drought response and damage prevention

Master Drought Dashboard

As a drought-related decision-making tool, the dashboard provides customized drought information to help with rapid decision-making by monitoring drought situations of localities, both in normal and drought times

• Web-based : Data Available Through the Internet
• Overall Status : GIS Map and Information Display, News Information and Drought 119, Drought Response and Weather, Status of Domestic and Industrial Water Supply During a Drought, and Status of Agricultural Water Supply During a Drought
• Weather Information : Status and Forecast of Meteorological Droughts, Drought Frequency, Precipitation Shortage, and Accumulated Precipitation by Period
• Domestic and Industrial Water Drought Information : Status and Forecast of Domestic and Industrial Water Supply during a Drought, Water Supply System for Selected Areas, and Status of Emergency Water Supply
• Agricultural Water Drought Information : Status and Forecast of Agricultural Water Supply During a Drought, Reservoir, Status of Underground Water, and Past Drought Damages
• Additional Functions : Reports, Downloads, and Links to Related Websites

National Drought Education and Experience Zone

Operating education and experience programs on drought and water-saving

• Definition of drought and outbreak status

  

• Past and present drought response measures

  

• Drought system
  experience space

  

• Drought experience and education
  on water-saving practices