Drought deemed worst in 12 years

The country has been suffering from an eight-month-long drought since last July, which state weather authorities say is the worst in 12 years.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said yesterday the nation`s average precipitation between July 1 and Feb. 3 was 579.2 millimeters, merely 68.2 percent of the average precipitation during the same period over the past 10 years.

The low precipitation level was recorded due to the high atmospheric pressure overlying the peninsula and because only one typhoon had an impact here during the cited period, whereas an average of 3.4 typhoons hit the country per year in the past, KMA officials said.

Usually, 30 percent of the summer precipitation results from typhoons and 53 percent of the rain comes from rain showers in the summer, but that was not the case for this observation period, which began in July.

The drought is expected to continue through May, according to a KMA official.

"The average precipitation in the months of February-May takes up only 23 percent of the yearly average, which means it will be difficult for the nation to be relieved from the drought even if it rains like any other year," the official said.

The eight-month-long drought has recently created major water shortages in Taebaek and other areas in southern Gangwon Province.

Purchases of water at local food supply chains rose 656 percent in Taebaek since water is supplied once a day in the region.

As a result, many businesses, including Shinsegae, Nongshim and Hite Brewery, are delivering tens of thousands of water bottles to assist the residents suffering from the water shortage.

Meanwhile, a forest fire management center located in the east coast yesterday launched an operation meeting to look for ways to prevent forest fires that could cost millions of won during a severe drought.

Officials of Gangwon Province and the east coast are currently keeping watch on 65 percent of the forests in the areas for 24 hours a day with 43 teams of forest firefighting personnel, 36 helicopters, 112 vehicles and 109 surveillance cameras.

By Cho Ji-hyun



(sharon@heraldm.com)