North Korea has been experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, with daily precipitation exceeding 100 mm (about 3.9 inches), effectively drenching the entire Korean Peninsula. Following last year’s record-breaking floods, the country has urged nationwide efforts to focus on disaster prevention and mitigation.
On Thursday, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, cited data from the State Hydro-Meteorological Administration. The report highlighted areas that received significant rainfall from Monday to Tuesday, including Goseong (184.9 mm, about 7.3 inches), Anbyon (124.5 mm, about 4.9 inches), Tongchon (113.4 mm, about 4.5 inches), Orang (112.7 mm, about 4.4 inches), Kyongsong (110 mm, about 4.3 inches), Myonggan (104.6 mm, about 4.1 inches), and Munchon (104.5 mm, about 4.1 inches).
The State Hydro-Meteorological Administration forecasts that from July 20 to 23, the northern regions will experience increased rainfall due to the strengthening of a monsoon front. Heavy rain is expected to impact North and South Pyongan Provinces and Chagang Province, particularly.
On Wednesday, Korean Central Television emphasized the critical importance of implementing preemptive measures. The broadcast stresses the importance of implementing effective plans for grain storage and flood prevention in agricultural areas, urging efforts to minimize damage from heavy rainfall through proactive measures.
As torrential rains persist, North Korea has declared that no vulnerabilities can be tolerated in disaster prevention efforts, signaling a robust commitment to coordinated responses across various sectors.
Last summer, severe rainfall caused the Yalu River to overflow, inundating over 400 homes and roads in North Pyongan and Chagang Provinces, resulting in significant loss of life.
In an article titled “No vulnerabilities can be tolerated in disaster prevention efforts”, Rodong Sinmun emphasized the need for diligence, stating that it must check ten times and inspect a hundred times. The paper asserted that a responsible work ethic is crucial in protecting local safety and the lives and property of the people from the ravages of nature.
The newspaper urged that workers must constantly evaluate whether they are effectively implementing disaster prevention efforts as directed by the Party. It stressed the need to remain vigilant, anticipate worst-case scenarios, and prepare accordingly.