As autumn rains fell on the Korean Peninsula several times in September, the water level in the upper reaches of the Imjin River in North Korea has increased significantly. Recent satellite images have captured North Korea opening the sluice gates and releasing water from the reservoir in order to control the water level at the Hwanggang Dam in Tosan County, North Hwanghae Province. It has been about a month since North Korea unauthorizedly released water from the Hwanggang Dam reservoir during the heavy rains in late July, and now that autumn is here, an emergency release situation from the Hwanggang Dam has been captured again.
◆Opening of the Hwanggang Dam sluice gates, unauthorized discharge of water
The European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel satellite image (resolution 10m) taken on September 11 showed that as autumn approached and frequent rain fell, the water in the Hwanggang Dam reservoir neared full level, and North Korea opened the Hwanggang Dam sluice gate and released water without permission, resulting in the water pouring down in the form of white foam.
On the 11th, the Ministry of Environment of Korea realized that the width of the lower reaches of the Imjin River in the border area had increased significantly and that the water level of Pilseung Bridge, the northernmost point of the Imjin River basin, had risen significantly. They quickly shared the situation with relevant organizations such as military units and local governments and took measures to activate the emergency response system. Local governments also conducted warning broadcasts and patrol guidance for the safety of residents and tourists in the lower reaches of the Imjin River. It has been determined that there has been no damage on our side yet.
This unauthorized release of water from the Hwanggang Dam seems to have been an emergency release by North Korea to control the water level as the reservoir level rose close to full level due to frequent rains in September. The release occurred a month after the heavy rains in July, when autumn rains became frequent, and the re-release occurred. The South Korean Ministry of Unification has repeatedly requested and urged North Korea to give advance notice of the release of water from the Hwanggang Dam, but this time, North Korea appears to have released water without any advance notice. North Korea’s ignorance and disregard continue.
On the 11th, the US Embassy in Seoul held a North Korean agriculture seminar. In the announcement that day, the US Department of Agriculture predicted that the weather on the Korean Peninsula in September and October this year will be warmer than average and rainier, so the autumn weather will not be favorable for North Korea. If the autumn rain and the uninvited typhoon overlap, North Korea’s unauthorized discharge of water from the Hwanggang Dam could resume at any time. A swift response from the Ministry of Environment is expected this time. In addition, North Korea must comply with the inter-Korean agreement to provide advance notice of discharge of water from the dam to prevent damage to residents near the border area.
Source: www.dailynk.com
