21.   He decided to defect after food rations were suspended following floods last month that ravaged North and South Korean military facilities in the demilitarized zone area.

22.   It halted exports in mid-November to preserve stocks and stabilize the market following devastating floods in the rice- producing Mekong Delta.

23.   Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has sent a message of condolence to President Megawati Sukarnoputri following deadly floods in Indonesia, state media said on Wednesday.

24.   Earlier this month, North Korea issued a fresh appeal for international assistance following floods in July.

25.   UN officials say several million people face possible stavation in the North following disastrous floods last year.

26.   Word of the deal comes amid reports of a sharply worsening food shortage in North Korea, which began following severe floods two years ago.

27.   North Korea has been suffering dire food shortages since last year, when it made an unprecedented call for international food aid following disastrous floods .