North Korea expressed concerns about the expanding drought conditions in certain regions.
Rodong Sinmun reported on the 21st that since the nationwide rainfall on the 15th of last month, most regions have seen significantly less rain than the annual average for over a month in an article titled “All-Out Efforts to Protect Crops.” It also stated, “Continued clear weather in most areas, including the western region, has led to temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions.” It added, “The drought conditions initially observed in certain areas of Hwanghae Province, North Hwanghae Province, and parts of Kaesong City are expanding to broader areas over time.”
North Korea stated, “All workers, party members, and laborers must unite with patriotism and boldly fight to protect the crops we have planted,” while urging, “Concentrate all efforts and resources on minimizing the damage from the drought.”
At the same time, it introduced local initiatives across various regions to combat drought through daily irrigation of hundreds of Jeongbo (1 Jeongbo equals 3000 square meters) fields, full operation of field irrigation pumping facilities, and thorough agricultural technical measures.
In Changyon County, a rational irrigation method was determined based on the water consumption of the farms, supplemented by hundreds of auxiliary water supply facilities like wells. Meanwhile, in Chonnae County, irrigation management workers have implemented rigorous repair and maintenance protocols to ensure continuous pump operation, supported by well-stocked spare parts for uninterrupted service. While North Korea has recently been touting abundant harvests, citing unprecedented yields of wheat and barley, concerns over potential crop damage due to upcoming heatwaves and heavy rain during the monsoon season are not ceasing.
The Rodong Sinmun also reported an unprecedented bumper crop of wheat and barley in Hwanghae Province. It specifically stated, “Compared to last year, we expect to increase grain yield by more than 1.5 tons per Jeongbo,” and added, “In some farm fields, including Kangryong County’s town farm and Ongjin County’s Gukbong farm, they can produce up to 7 tons, and at most 10 tons per Jeongbo.”
The newspaper emphasized, “This momentum and enthusiasm are the solid guarantee of occupying higher ground in this year’s grain harvest to boldly minimize drought damage.”
Meanwhile, recent record-high surface temperatures and sea surface temperatures continue to cause early and persistent heatwaves worldwide.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the global average temperature over the past 12 months has been confirmed to be 2.93 degrees Fahrenheit higher than pre-industrial levels. This exceeds the international climate crisis response goal of limiting the increase in the average global surface temperature rise to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this century compared to pre-industrialization.
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