noun
cold-weather damage; cold damage
Specifically refers to damage to crops caused by low temperatures during the growing season, especially in summer. Common in agricultural and weather reports.
今年の冷害で米の収穫量が大幅に減った。
This year's cold-weather damage caused a significant drop in the rice harvest.
冷害に強い品種の開発が進められている。
Development of varieties resistant to cold damage is underway.
Compound of 冷 (cold) and 害 (damage). The reading is on'yomi for both characters.