New rounds of heavy rain struck towns along North Korea’s east coast raising concerns about damage to crops, state media reported on Thursday.

Kim Tok Hun, premier of North Korea’s cabinet, toured areas of South Hamgyong Province, speaking to troops and other emergency responders mobilized to help repair the damage, state news agency KCNA reported.

“Learning about the living conditions of the flood victims, he stressed the need for the officials of the province to relieve the troubles of the victims in time while sharing pain with them,” KCNA said.

In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country faced a “tense” food situation, citing the coronavirus pandemic and last year’s typhoons, and the new wave of storms has raised concerns about food shortages.