{
  "id": 740281,
  "title": "Nationwide rain forecast for long weekend to bring relief to drought-hit south",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/nationwide-rain-forecast-for-long-weekend-to-bring-relief-to-drought",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T07:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/environment-animals/20260813/nationwide-rain-forecast-for-long-weekend-to-bring-relief-to-drought-hit-south"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A nationwide rain forecast has been issued for a long weekend, set to bring much-needed relief to drought-stricken southern regions of Korea, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The forecast predicts sudden showers in inland areas on Saturday, followed by nationwide rain over the subsequent two days, due to a low pressure system moving in from Shanghai. The long weekend begins on Saturday, coinciding with the alternative holiday for Liberation Day, which falls on Saturday this year. The relief comes as southern parts of the country, particularly the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang, have experienced significantly reduced water storage levels due to inadequate precipitation in recent months. From July 12 to August 11, southern regions received only 58.5 millimeters of rain, a mere quarter of the long-term average of 241.9 mm during that period. South Gyeongsang and the southeastern cities of Busan and Ulsan recorded an even lower total, with just 16.6 mm of precipitation during the same timeframe, marking the lowest level since 1973, the year South Korea was founded.",
  "summary": "Rain is forecast across Korea over the upcoming three-day weekend, the national weather agency said Thursday, likely bringing relief to southern regions suffering from a severe drought. Sudden showers are forecast for inland parts of the country Saturday before nationwide rain over the next two days due to a low pressure system advancing from Shanghai, according to the Korea Meteorological…",
  "key_points": [
    "Nationwide rain forecast issued for long weekend in Korea",
    "Low pressure system from Shanghai to bring sudden showers",
    "Southern regions face severe water shortage, lowest since 1973"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Nationwide rain forecast for long weekend to bring relief to drought-hit south",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/nationwide-rain-forecast-for-long-weekend-to-bring-relief-to-drought-741076",
        "published": "2026-08-13T07:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}