According to data available, nearly 20 000 hectares of farmland have been parched, as of June 23, and crops are withering away in the province.

Particularly, Hwangju County, a major granary of the province, has been severely affected by a long spell of drought.

Hwangbo Son Nyo, an old woman living in Koyon-ri, told KCNA that she had never witnessed such dry weather in the area for 70 years.

Ri Sun Pom, chairman of the County Rural Economy Committee, said:

"It is hard to expect harvest in more than 2 000 hectares of corn-fields across the County though seeds were sowed thrice."

Pak Tok Gwan, management board chairman of the Ryongchon Co-op Farm, said that cornstalks are now only 40-70 centimeters high.

Paek Yong Chol, management board chairman of the Koyon Co-op Farm, said, "If the drought continues, corns can not but be cut off to be replaced by other crops."

Most of reservoirs in the county has gone dry and some paddy fields still remain unsown for lack of water.

This situation hinders the smooth supply of food to the residents.

At present the county is striving to minimize the drought damage with the active help of servicepersons, officials of ministries and national institutions and other people.