Through March ~ May, Precipitation in 48 Regions Hit Record Low

The amount of rainfall during this spring (March ~ May) stood at a mere 20 ~ 40 percent of the average in the central parts of the country, and in case of Inchon and Busan, it was the lowest-ever precipitation since 1904 when the modern meteorological observation.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced, ``the precipitation set the lowest record in 48 meteorological stations out of 73 stations in the nation. In 9 stations including one in Seoul, it was the second lowest precipitation in history.``

Choongju in North Chungchung Province received the lowest amount of rainfall (24.9 mm) in the nation recording a mere 12 percent of the average (210.1 mm). Besides, Baekryung Island (28.0mm), Tongduchon (28.2mm), Andong (36.1mm), Churlwon (37.1mm), Chungju (38.3mm), and Inchon (38.5mm) set new lowest-ever records since the modern meteorological observation. The previous record was Seoul¡¯s 38.8 mm in 1965.

In 38 meteorological stations, more than half of all stations, the precipitation has reached less than 30 percent of the average. Except South Jeolla, South Kyungsang, and Cheju Provinces, where they received a `sweet rainfall` in May, 33 stations (77 percent) out of 43 stations received less than 30 percent of rainfall comparing with the average.

On the other hand, 6 stations have received more than 50 percent of the average. Seogwipo (377.6 mm) in Cheju Province has received 135.6 mm less rainfall of the average as well. North Korea, where the condition of drought is very severe, is suffering from the drought. In case of Nampo in South Pyungan Province, the rainfall stood at a mere 7 percent of the average.

Park Jung-Gyu, the director of the Weather Prediction Department in KMA, forecasted by saying, ``the water vapor could not flow from the southern part of the country in this spring due to the high atmospheric pressure, which was developed in China¡¯s Whajung region. However, if there is rainfall in southern part of the country from next week and the rainy season begins from the last ten days of this month, the drought will be quenched.``

Kim Joon-Seok kjs359@donga.com