South Korea is expected to see long-awaited rainfall on Thursday amid ongoing efforts to contain wildfires ravaging the country’s southeastern regions. However, the expected precipitation in the fire-stricken areas is forecast to be too little to effectively suppress the blazes.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Wednesday, rain will begin on the southern coasts of South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang provinces Wednesday night and spread nationwide through Thursday.
However, Uiseong-gun and Cheongsong-gun in North Gyeongsang Province – areas severely affected by the fires – are forecast to receive less than 5 millimeters of rainfall. Sancheong-gun in South Gyeongsang Province and Ulju-gun in Ulsan are expected to see between 5 and 10 millimeters.
In the wildfire areas, the rain will be weak starting early Thursday and is expected to subside quickly, offering limited relief.
Most regions in South Gyeongsang Province have been under a dry weather warning since Sunday, with this year’s low rainfall contributing to the spread and intensity of the wildfires.
As the fires persist, concerns are growing over fatigue among emergency crews. Forty firefighters from Sangju Fire Station, who were dispatched to the wildfire zones, were later hospitalized Monday after experiencing symptoms of dizziness and nausea.
shinjh@heraldcorp.com
