N.Korea: Rain left casualties, destroyed homes

Floods triggered by torrential rain that hit North Korea last week washed away homes, roads and farmland and caused unspecified casualties, according to state media. Heavy rain from July 12 to 15 left more than 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of farmland destroyed or submerged across the country, Korean Central News Agency said. The western and northeastern regions of Hwanghae and South Hamgyong were hit hard, with more than 250 millimetres (around 10 inches) of rain recorded in some areas, it said. The downpour left several dykes, public buildings as well as roads destroyed, and the eastern city of Hamhung saw casualties, it said without giving details. Reconstruction efforts were under way in affected areas, it said. After decades of deforestation, the impoverished North is particularly vulnerable to flooding. In 2007 it reported at least 600 dead or missing from devastating floods. State media said last week a tropical storm that hit the country in June had caused casualties and left more than 150 homes and 20,000 hectares of farmland destroyed or submerged.