Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Drought affects 97 regions across South Korea
Drought conditions were reported in 97 regions across South Korea as of Oct.
1.
The country’s interior ministry said the problem was especially severe in Yeongcheon, in North Gyeongsang Province.
From April 2 to Oct.
1, the country received 72.5% of its normal rainfall for that period.
Water in agricultural reservoirs stood at 70% of the average level for a normal year.
Of the affected regions, 74 had mild drought and 22 had moderate drought; Yeongcheon was the only region classified as having severe drought.
The ministry expects Yeongcheon’s drought to ease by the end of the year because rainfall is forecast to be above normal in November and December.
Drought conditions have been reported in 97 regions across South Korea as of Oct. 1.
The drought is particularly severe in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province.
Agricultural reservoirs nationwide held water at 70 percent of the average level for a normal year.
Precipitation from April 2 to Oct. 1 totaled 783.3 millimeters, or 72.5 percent of the normal average.
The ministry forecast above-normal precipitation in November and December, which it said could ease the drought in Yeongcheon by year’s end.
- Who
- South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety reported the drought conditions.
- What
- Drought conditions were reported in 97 regions. Yeongcheon was experiencing severe drought.
- When
- As of Oct. 1, 2026.
- Where
- Across South Korea, with conditions particularly severe in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province.
- Why
- Precipitation from April 2 to Oct. 1 was below the normal average.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nationwide cumulative precipitation totaled 783.3 millimeters, or 72.5 percent of the normal average.
Meteorological drought conditions were observed in 97 regions across South Korea.
Above-normal precipitation was forecast, with the ministry saying it could ease Yeongcheon’s drought by year’s end.
- Regions affected
- 97
- Drought in Yeongcheon
- Severe
- Reservoir water storage
- 70 percent of the normal-year average
- Cumulative precipitation
- 783.3 millimeters from April 2 to Oct. 1
- Drought classifications
- 74 mild; 22 moderate; 1 severe
Sources
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