North Korea issued drought alerts and warnings across multiple provinces this week, as a prolonged dry spell threatened wheat and barley crops. 

According to the state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) on Monday, authorities issued drought alerts for parts of Pyongyang, South Phyongan, Nampho, South Hamgyong, South Hawanghae and North Hwanghae through April 30.

Lower-level drought warnings were also issued for multiple areas in North Phyongan, South and North Hwanghae, and parts of Kangwon.

During the evening broadcast, State Hydro-Meteorological Administration Director Tokgo Hyok Chol attributed the extreme lack of rain across the country since winter to persistent high-pressure systems.

Nationwide