noun
drying up of a riverbed surface
Refers to a river or stream becoming so shallow that the riverbed is exposed, often due to drought or water diversion. Used in geographical and environmental contexts.
今年の夏は雨が少なく、あちこちで瀬切れが起きた。
This summer there was little rain, and drying up of riverbeds occurred in many places.
瀬切れのため、魚が上流に遡れなくなった。
Because the riverbed dried up, fish could no longer swim upstream.
Compound of 瀬 (se, 'shallows, rapids') and 切れ (gire, from 切れる 'to be cut off, to run out'). The term literally means 'shallows cut off', describing a river section where water flow ceases and the bed becomes exposed.