Yeongcheon:Drought conditions have been reported in 97 regions across the country, with the situation particularly severe in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, the interior ministry said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, water storage levels in agricultural reservoirs nationwide are at just 70 percent of the average for a normal year. The cumulative precipitation nationwide over the six months from April 2 to October 1 totaled 783.3 millimeters, or 72.5 percent of the normal year average.
Meteorological drought conditions were observed in 97 regions across the country as of October 1. Of these, 74 regions were classified as experiencing mild drought and 22 as moderate drought. Yeongcheon, located about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is experiencing severe drought.
The drought in Yeongcheon is expected to ease by the end of the year, as precipitation is forecast to be above normal in November and December, According to ministry.