Drought and heatwave parch Seoul

SEOUL, June 19 (UPI) -- Seoul is struggling under the weight of the worst drought in more than a century, only made worse by a recent heat wave, officials said.

Precipitation so far this year is at its lowest in 104 years, the government said.

Yonhap News Agency reported 444 water tankers and 55 privately owned vehicles have been mobilized to water trees and parks. The recent heat wave has dragged the country's electricity reserves down to dangerous levels, the National Emergency Management Agency said, while temperatures topped out at 92 degrees, the hottest in 12 years.

The agency has scheduled a nationwide 20-minute, anti-blackout exercise for 2 p.m. Thursday to advise citizens to participate in low-energy activities.