DPRK struck with serious drought, dangers of food shortage loom

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Parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have been hit with a serious drought for the last two months, and a nationwide campaign is underway to reduce damages, reported state news agency KCNA on Sunday.

Only 60 mm of average rainfall has been seen in South Hwanghae Province, an important area for food production on the western coast, from April to mid-June – only a third of the average yearly precipitation.

The drought also struck Pyongyang City, North and South Phyongan as well as North Hwanghae provinces, the report said.

Prevention work has been carried out, and facilities such as wells, underground reservoirs and barrages are being restored in the drought-stricken areas, said KCNA.

The country's Ministry of Electrical Industry is also extending electric wires along the western coast to be connected to the water sources and water pumps, a report by Rodong Sinmun, the DPRK's most circulated newspaper said.

"The whole of the party, the whole of the country, and the whole of people: unite to engage in the drought prevention battles," read the title of the report.

Parts of DPRK have been struck with serious drought. / KCNA Picture

The DPRK suffers high levels of food insecurity due to harsh climate, mountainous terrain and lack of farming mechanization. Around 70 percent of its population are food insecure, according to the World Food Programme.

In June 2015, DPRK saw the "worst drought in 100 years," which resulted in 11 percent reduction in harvests from the previous year, which led to a substantial food shortage.

The country suffered serious famine in the 1990s, which reportedly killed half a million people.

Since then, farmers have been given greater freedom to sell on the market, significantly increasing the output. However, lack of water in spring, a critical time for the growth of rice, will probably lead to a massive decline of crop harvest in the near future.

It is unusual for the DPRK to talk openly of its shortages, which probably indicates a need for outside help.

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