Up to now, the country's precipitation is only 20.1 mm or 33 percent of the average, the lowest since Juche 66 (1977) that recorded 17.9 mm.

The northern area on the east coast has 12 % of the average, northern inland area 18 %, the northern area on the west coast 23 %, northern highland area 28 %, central inland area 34 %, central area on the west coast 40 % and central area on the east coast 52%.

The major drought-plagued areas are Heoryong City (0.1 mm), Rason City (1.4 mm) and Taehongdan County (3.8 mm) and Jagang, Ryanggang and North Hamgyong provinces had less than 10 mm for 100 days.

Pyongyang, Sinuiju, Sariwon, Haeju and Kaesong cities and some other west coastal areas had no rainfall for 97 days.

A weather forecast shows the drought will persist in the country next week, too.

The dry weather has adversely affected this year's farming.