Heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding in North Korea, impacting thousands of homes and infrastructure near the border with China. State media KCNA reported that over 4,000 homes in the city of Sinuiju and Uiju County have been flooded. The damage extends beyond residential areas, affecting approximately 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of farmland and numerous public buildings, facilities, and roads.
The severity of the situation prompted a two-day emergency meeting by the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo earlier this week. Leader Kim Jong Un chaired the meeting, expressing grave concern over the damage and emphasizing the need for immediate action to restore the affected areas. He personally inspected the flooded areas on Sunday.
The region has been battling heavy rainfall in recent days, stemming from Tropical Storm Gaemi. The storm caused a landslide in southern China, resulting in 12 fatalities, and triggered flash floods in other areas. North Korean state media has been actively raising awareness about the monsoon season, highlighting the potential for extreme weather events and emphasizing efforts to mitigate damage.
July is typically the monsoon season in the Korean peninsula, but recent years have witnessed more extreme weather patterns during the summer months. In South Korea, heavy rain earlier this month led to landslides, train delays, and substantial infrastructure damage.
