South Korea is experiencing a severe meteorological drought following a period of extreme heat that depleted national precipitation levels [1].
The lack of rainfall threatens agricultural stability and water security across the peninsula. While the peak of the heat wave has subsided, the resulting moisture deficit has created a critical environmental crisis in several provinces.
National precipitation for last month reached only 72.3% of the climatological average [1]. This deficit has triggered a meteorological drought classification. According to established metrics, a drought is considered weak when precipitation falls below 65%, moderate below 55%, and severe below 45% [1].
The crisis is most acute in the southern regions, including Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do. Rainfall in these areas reached a record low of 68.0 mm in July [1].
Typically, these regions require more than 300 mm of rain during July to maintain normal conditions [1]. The observed 68 mm represents only 21.9% of the normal precipitation levels [1].
Reporter Jang A-young said the July rainfall in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do was the lowest ever recorded [1]. She said that while normal July rainfall exceeds 300 mm, the current levels reached only about one-fifth of that amount [1].
Weather forecasts provide little immediate relief. No rain is expected nationwide in the coming days, with the sole exception of the East Coast [1]. If severe drought conditions persist for more than 20 days, the classification escalates to an extreme drought [1].
“July rainfall in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do was the lowest ever recorded.”
The transition from a heat wave to a severe drought indicates a breakdown in the typical summer monsoon patterns that South Korea relies on for its annual water supply. Because the southern regions recorded only 22% of their normal July rainfall, the region faces a high risk of escalating to an 'extreme drought' status, which could lead to crop failures and restricted water usage for residents and industry.
