In the region of the Tumen River, record-breaking heavy rain fell, leaving thousands of North Korean residents stranded. According to the Chosun Central News Agency, Chairman Kim Jong Un personally directed the relief efforts on the scene.
The news agency reported that two days ago, torrential rain poured down, causing the water level of the Tumen River to exceed the dangerous threshold. This led to a severe crisis where over 5,000 residents of several islands in Sinuiju City and Euiju County in North Pyongan Province were isolated.
Photos released by the news agency showed villages submerged in water up to the rooftops, with even the large SUV that Chairman Kim Jong Un was traveling in seen submerged with water up to its wheels.
Chairman Kim witnessed the military helicopters rescuing the residents upon arrival at the airfield and remarked that the miraculous rescue of many residents within half a day was unbelievable, praising the pilots for their efforts.
Furthermore, it was reported that the areas surrounding the Tumen River in North Pyongan Province, Jagang Province, and Yanggang Province have been declared as special disaster emergency zones. The news agency also stated that Kim Jong Un strongly rebuked national agencies and local officials who failed in preventing the rain damage.