North Korea appears to have sustained “considerable” damage from the latest downpours in its northern border areas along the Amnok River, South Korea’s unification ministry said Tuesday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited flood-hit areas in the city of Sinuiju and Uiju County of North Phyongan Province on Sunday and guided an operation to rescue around 5,000 isolated residents with the military’s helicopters, according to the country’s state media.

Kim designated some areas along the Amnok River, also known as the Yalu River, in the North Phyongan, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces as “areas of special-level disaster emergency.” North Korea did not disclose details about causalities or property damage from the recent heavy rains.

The ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs said North Korea is presumed to have suffered “considerable” damage, given that its state media reported the need to restore electricity and communication lines and supply medicine.

“North Korea has stressed the need for damage co
ntrol and recovery work, and it appears to be swiftly responding to the situation on the grounds that public sentiments could worsen due to damage from the torrential rain,” a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Photos carried by North Korean state media showed water levels rising almost to the roofs of houses in a village and the four wheels of the SUV that Kim rode in to visit the affected areas being submerged in water.

North Korea is vulnerable to natural disasters due to its lack of infrastructure, with heavy rains, in particular, displacing thousands of people in the impoverished country.

Source: Yonhap News Agency