North Korea Braces for Crop Damage Amid Scorching 40°C Heat

A heatwave is affecting the entire Korean Peninsula, including North Korea. The North has issued high temperature warnings—forecasting highs of up to 40 degrees Celsius—through August 8 for regions including Pyongyang and Jagang Province, while heatwave alerts remain in place for most parts of the central and southern regions through August 9. Korean Central TV forecasted that the heatwave would abate starting August 9 as the North Pacific High weakens.

North Korean authorities are advising residents on how to prevent heat-related illnesses and protect against UV rays during outdoor activities, while also recommending the consumption of nutritious foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and dog meat soup. Farms are implementing urgent technical measures to prevent crop damage caused by high temperatures and humidity, such as reducing humidity in grain storage facilities to below 65%.

Tourist attractions are seeing a surge in visitors during the summer holiday season, with crowds flocking to the Wonsan Kalma Beach Tourist Zone—celebrating its second summer since completion—and swimming pools in Pyongyang. As the extreme heat directly impacts public health and agricultural production, North Korean authorities continue to respond to the situation.