North Korea is scrambling to protect its crops from an unusually severe drought that has hit much of the country, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The largely isolated nation of over 26 million people was already facing food shortages.

"An unusual drought has recently persisted across much of the country, a phenomenon rarely seen in previous years," KCNA reported. Workers across various regions are concentrating all efforts on protecting early-season crops from the drought.

North Korean cities and counties are carrying out repairs to reservoir gates and waterways, and implementing technical measures to boost drought resistance of wheat and barley. Premier Pak Thae Song inspected farms in South Pyongan and North Hwanghae provinces to check on countermeasures to minimize drought damage.

In February, UN Special Rapporteur Elizabeth Salmon highlighted food shortages as a key concern. UN agencies say millions in North Korea are undernourished and vulnerable to disasters such as droughts and floods.

South Korea also experienced drought last year in Gangneung province and recorded its hottest summer. Both Koreas had their hottest Junes on record. North Korea's frequent power shortages also limit access to air conditioning.

Source: www.dw.com