Thousands Evacuated in N Korea as Heavy Rain Destroys Houses

In this image taken from undated North Korean state broadcaster video, vehicles pass through flooded streets after heavy rains across South Hamgyong Province, North Korea. KRT via APTV

SEOUL, South Korea—Heavy rains in northeastern North Korea have destroyed or flooded 1,170 houses and forced 5,000 residents to evacuate to safety, North Korea’s state TV reported.

Thursday’s TV broadcast said this week’s downpour in South Hamgyong Province inundated or washed away hundreds of hectares (acres) of farmlands and destroyed many bridges. Footage showed houses submerged up to their red-brick roofs, a severed bridge over muddy water, and a swollen river.