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North Korea has deployed military helicopters and boats to rescue more than 5,000 people stranded due to severe flooding in the northwest region.
What’s the deal: Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in northwest North Korea, particularly in Sinuiju city and Uiju town. According to officials, a river overflowing along the North Korea-China border exacerbated the flooding, which the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described as a “grave crisis.”
What North Korea is doing: In response to the severe flooding, North Korea has launched extensive rescue operations. Around 10 military helicopters and numerous navy and government boats have been deployed. According to state media, Kim Jong Un is overseeing these efforts, which have led to the airlift of 4,200 people and the evacuation of an additional 5,000 people.
Casualties & Deaths: North Korea has not disclosed the number of deaths caused by the floods. However, some humanitarian aid groups have expressed serious concerns about the potential fatalities.
Some background: North Korea has a long history of devastating floods, often worsened by poor infrastructure, deforestation, and inadequate drainage systems. In 1995, severe floods led to widespread famine, resulting in significant loss of life and hardship. Similar disasters struck in 2007, 2012, and 2016, causing extensive damage to homes and farmland.
