North Korea’s Kim ‘inspects’ flood response as thousands evacuated from China border region after heavy rains

CNN —

Some 5,000 people were rescued from flood-hit areas along North Korea’s border with China over the weekend in efforts supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, the country’s state media reported Monday.

The North Korean army launched emergency operations in North Phyongan province as the region reeled from flooding in the wake of heavy rains that left 5,000 people “isolated” and at risk, according to state media KCNA.

Water levels at the Amnok River, or Yalu River in Chinese, which forms part of the border between the North Korea and China, had “far exceeded the danger line” due to record rains Saturday, KCNA reported, noting Kim’s assessment that flooding was “very serious” in Sinuiju City, which faces the Chinese city of Dandong.

Kim – who was pictured in images published by state media striding, windswept through an air base handling rescue and riding in an SUV through flood waters – was described as “inspecting and directing” efforts and criticizing authorities that failed to properly prepare for and prevent the disaster.

The autocrat’s appearance at the scene suggests the significance of the floods – and his desire to be seen at the fore of response to what he called “disastrous abnormal weather.”

It comes as governments across Asia are grappling with devastation and economic loss caused by extreme weather that scientists say is growing more frequent due to human-driven climate change.

A flooded area in North Korea's North Phyongan province on July 28, pictured in a photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency.

Heavy rains and flooding hit wide swaths of Asia in recent days as a major storm system swept through the region. Typhoon Gaemi contributed to major flooding in parts of the