The flooding occurred in North Korea, Pyongan Province affecting Sinuiju City and Uiju County located near the border with China. The Amnok River also known as the Yalu River in China exceeded its danger levels due to heavy rainfall.
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The region has seen record-breaking rainfall levels with Kaesong City receiving 63 mm (18.2 inches) of rain in just one day. This is the highest recorded rainfall in North Korea in 29 years as reported by South Korea’s weather agency.
Approximately 5,000 people were rescued with rescue operations involving 10 helicopters making 20 flights along with boats used for evacuations.
Kim Jong-un was photographed inspecting flood-hit areas, traversing floodwaters in a luxury Lexus SUV.
According to South Korea’s meteorological administration, the downpour has been the heaviest in North Korea in 29 years with Kaesong City experiencing 463mm (18.2 inches) of rain in a single day earlier this month.
The country’s susceptibility to floods is heightened by several factors including poor drainage systems, deforestation and aging infrastructure.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the rescue operations. The government deployed 10 military helicopters and various naval and governmental vessels to carry out rescue missions in the flood-stricken areas.
The operation successfully evacuated over 5,000 residents from the impacted regions with 4,200 individuals rescued via airlifts despite the challenging weather conditions.
Each helicopter was involved in multiple sorties, overcoming adverse weather conditions to reach isolated people.
Kim Jong Un addressed the importance of not just rescue operations but also providing immediate relief to those affected.
He ordered that food, water and other essential supplies be delivered to the evacuees to support them during this crisis.
Kim Jong Un expressed dissatisfaction with government officials for their inadequate preparation and response to the flood threat.
Kim criticized officials for their defeatist attitude towards natural disasters accusing them of relying on fate rather than measures.
According to Kim, “They, seized with defeatism at combat with nature, do not confidently turn out in the disaster prevention work, only expecting chance from the sky.”
North Korean state media have been relatively open about the scale of the disaster describing it as a grave crisis.
The flooding threatens to worsen North Korea’s agricultural struggles as the country is already facing food scarcity issues due to limited arable land and sanctions.
North Korea is one of the poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita estimated at around $1,700 in 2015 by the CIA World Factbook.
Typhoon Gaemi, which affected the Philippines and Taiwan and also contributed to flooding in China’s Fujian Province.
In China’s Liaoning Province more than 45,000 people were evacuated as heavy rains hit the region.
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