noun
drought; long dry spell
Refers to a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortage. Used in weather reports, agriculture, and general contexts.
今年の干ばつで農作物が大きな被害を受けた。
This year's drought caused serious damage to the crops.
干ばつ対策として節水が呼びかけられている。
Water conservation is being urged as a measure against the drought.
水不足 is a general water shortage, which can be caused by drought or other factors. 干ばつ specifically refers to the meteorological condition of prolonged dry weather.
日照り is a more colloquial term for a dry spell or sunny weather, often used in daily conversation. 干ばつ is more formal and typically used for serious, prolonged droughts.
Compound of 干 (kan, 'dry') and 魃 (batsu, 'drought demon' or 'drought'). The kanji 魃 is rare and often replaced by kana ばつ in modern usage.