The Ministry of Environment announced on the 22nd that a significant amount of discharge is presumed to be taking place at the Hwanggang Dam on the northern side of the Imjin River based on the satellite image analysis of the border areas.
In the satellite images taken around 4 a.m. on that day, a significant increase in the width of the downstream river of Hwanggang Dam was observed. Although no signs of discharge were observed in the satellite images taken on the previous day, the Ministry of Environment analyzed that a considerable amount of discharge is presumed to be taking place at the dam at present.
In response to capturing signs of discharge at the Hwanggang Dam, relevant agencies such as the military and local governments are promptly sharing information on the situation, and the emergency response system is being activated. Also, as the water level at the Pilsung Bridge located at the northernmost part of the Imjin River basin rises, alert broadcasts and patrol measures are being implemented.
Park Jae-hyun, the head of the Water Management Policy Division at the Ministry of Environment, emphasized the need to strengthen monitoring systems, such as river water level monitoring, amid uncertain situations like dam discharges on the northern side. He stated, “We will thoroughly respond in close cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent any harm to residents.”