North Korean provinces and counties are suffering under a blistering heat wave and drought that has hurt agricultural production, DPRK state media reported Monday, likely worsening what the country has described as a “food crisis.”  

The Rodong Sinmun stated that a heat wave has continued in “most areas” in North Korea since July 12, drying out the field and yellowing the leaves of crops. Total rainfall for the year up until mid-July was also the “second lowest” since record keeping began in 1981, the state organ reported.