Government-Level Response System Activated
Meteorological Authorities Forecast Up to 300mm of Heavy Rain
After suffering significant damage from record-breaking floods last summer, North Korea is heightening its state of alert and repeatedly emphasizing disaster response measures as this year's rainy season begins. Local party organizations and administrative agencies are strengthening disaster prevention measures, while the media continues to urge residents to remain vigilant.
North Korea records rainfall of 65mm in Pyongyang and 94mm in Nampo due to heavy rain. Footage from Korean Central TV Yonhap News
Korean Central TV reported on the 18th that nationwide preparations are underway based on the assumption of abnormal weather, stating, "Across the country, abnormal weather with the potential for disasters is being accepted as a given, and efforts to proactively respond are being carried out in a practical manner."
Kim Hyunjun, an official from the Disaster Prevention Agency, said in an interview, "Since the 14th, heavy rainfall has been recorded in the East Coast regions, including North Hamgyong Province and Gangwon Province. In particular, more than 100mm of precipitation has been observed in areas such as Kyonghung in North Hamgyong Province and Goseong in Gangwon Province." He added, "This situation requires our officials to be more alert and tense than ever before, and to take a more active and responsible approach to crisis management in their respective regions and party organizations."
On the same day, Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party, reported, "Now that the rainy season has begun, party organizations are becoming even more active in responding to disaster-prone weather," emphasizing that disaster response is not merely a climate issue but also a matter of political and social responsibility. The newspaper added, "It is not simply a struggle against nature, but a matter of attitude and perspective in serving the state and the people," and stressed, "There can be no reliance on luck in disaster prevention work."
Last year, North Korea suffered severe flood damage in northwestern regions such as Jagang Province, North Pyongan Province, and Ryanggang Province. Over the following four months, the country built more than 15,000 new homes and repaired over 6,000 homes. This year, heavy rain is again forecasted for these same regions, heightening residents' anxiety.
Significant rainfall is also expected in the coming days. The Meteorological and Hydrological Agency warned, "Due to the influence of the rainy season front, between the night of the 20th and the 22nd, most areas of North Pyongan Province, Jagang Province, and parts of Ryanggang Province including Kim Hyongjik County will experience heavy rainfall of 150 to 200mm." In particular, "In localized areas such as Yongchon and Usi, very heavy rainfall of 250 to 300mm is expected," and "thunderstorms and gusty winds are also anticipated at times." Accordingly, all sectors of the people's economy have been instructed to make thorough preparations in advance.
On the 18th, the Ministry of Environment announced that it had detected signs that North Korea is discharging water from Hwanggang Dam in the upper Imjin River without prior notice. In the past, North Korea provided advance notice before discharging water, but in recent years it has omitted this step, raising concerns that downstream areas in the South could be affected.
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