William Kumanichi announces that this year’s rainy season, at 17 days, was the shortest on record. This has pleased some, such as farmers eager to get their summer crops in early, but has dismayed others, such as a woman who runs a coin laundry shop (drier use has evaporated). Beer garden operators are also happy.
All Kumamoto drinking water is artesian (unique in the world), but farmers rely on irrigation. Fortunately, the Prefectural Water Department says that water levels at all six dams feeding Kumamoto farmers are at normal levels. Summer thunderstorms may also help.
