Refers to a prolonged period of dry weather, often with negative effects on agriculture. Can be used literally or figuratively.
The dry weather continued this summer, causing damage to crops.
The river water is decreasing because of the drought.
日照り (ひでり) means a drought or dry spell caused by a long absence of rain, while 日照 (にっしょう) simply means the amount or duration of sunshine received, despite sharing the same first kanji.
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
Rare single-kanji spelling; mainly found in older texts.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; uncommon but occasionally seen.
Rare spelling using the kanji 旱 with okurigana; not widely used.
Compound of 日 (hi, 'sun') and 照り (teri, 'shining'), from the verb 照る (teru, 'to shine'). The reading ひでり is a rendaku form of ひてり.