North Korea flooding: Deluge decimates ‘hundreds of hectares of farmland’ amid food crisis

North Korea: Malnourishment crisis increases for population

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Residents have fled their homes after heavy rains decimated huge swathes of farmland. KRT, the country’s state broadcaster, reported around 5,000 people have been evacuated and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed.

It comes as the impoverished North admitted it was tackling a food crisis in June, sounding the alarm in a country which has long struggled to feed itself.

The report said “hundreds of hectares of farmland” is submerged or lost in the country’s South Hamgyong Province after river levees collapsed.

Due to the nation’s weak infrastructure and deforestation efforts, flooding has had a great impact on the isolated country.

Last summer, a series of typhoons also triggered floods which damaged farmland and destroyed homes.

In June, leader Kim Jong-Un said the nation faced a “tense” food situation and much would depend on this year’s harvests.

Last month, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation forecast said North Korea was facing a food shortage of around 860,000 tonnes this year.

The organisation warned the country could experience a “harsh lean period”.

Ri Yong Nam, deputy head of the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration, told the state broadcaster parts of North Hamgyong recorded more than 500mm of rain from Sunday to Tuesday.

He said: “We expect more rain in August in various regions, including the east coast area, which may cause further damage.”

Footage from Pyongyang’s state-run KCTV showed homes flooded up to their roofs as well as damage to bridges and dikes.

North Korea is currently under a self-imposed isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result trade with Beijing – its economic lifeline – has slowed to a trickle.

In light of the impending crisis, US secretary of state Antony Blinken made contact with South Korean foreign minister Chung Eui-yong to discuss the prospect of humanitarian aid to North Korea.

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Their offices have not yet elaborated on the idea following their phone call on Friday.

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