An average of 68-point-four millimeters of rain has fallen in the nation since May, which is only 31 percent of the average 223 millimeters recorded in past years.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said on Tuesday that the amount of rainfall recorded in Seoul and Incheon, Gyeonggi Province reached a mere seven percent of the average figure. It added that the amount of precipitation in Jeolla Province and South Chungcheong Province marked about 20 percent of the average while Gyeongsang Province, North Chungcheong Province and Gangwon Province stood at about 40 percent.

Accordingly, the weather agency elevated the drought index for Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Chungcheong Province and Jeolla Province to a “very dangerous” level, in which crops and farm products could be damaged.