Heavy Rainfall in North Korea Causes Property Damage and Human Losses

A heavy rainfall in the northern regions of North Korea has caused property damage and human losses according to the sources in North Korea.

"The torrential downpour and ensuing landslides earlier this week hit residential areas and farmlands in the country's North Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces, leaving people dead and homes destroyed," said Kim Seong-min, a representative of Free North Korea Radio.

However, Kim added that the North Korean authorities have not been able to carry out effective relief operations due to the circumstances.

On Monday, a five-floor apartment building located in Hyesan city, Ryanggang Province collapsed when a landslide occurred and caused the structure to break down. An estimated number of 80 people were trapped inside the building.

Due to the soft soil and slippery roads caused by the heavy rain, the rescuers are experiencing difficulties in rescuing the trapped people inside the building.  

According to a North Korean source, many areas of Chongjin city in North Hamgyong Province were submerged by heavy rainfall, with people drowning and being swept away by the flood water.

There are also human losses that occurred in the cities of Onsong and Musan, North Hamgyong Province, according to other sources.

Moreover, according to the intelligence officials in Seoul, they are still confirming the exact number of human losses and extent of flood damage in the North Korea due to the occurrence of heavy rainfall.