Record flooding in Amnok (Yalu) River submerges North Korea-China border

Heavy downpours on July 27, 2024, resulted in record flooding in the Amnok River, stranding more than 5 000 people in North Korea. This river, known as the Yalu River in China, forms part of the border between China and North Korea.

Record downpours hit North Korea’s northern border with China on July 27, causing the water levels of the Amnok River to exceed the danger line.

This caused more than 5 000 inhabitants to be isolated in the zones vulnerable to flooding in several island areas in the city of Sinuiju and Uiju County of North Phyongan Province.

The government dispatched 10 helicopters from the air force, lifeboats of the navy, a maritime guard formation of the border guards, and the military to conduct rescue operations in the affected region.

The record-breaking flooding in the river saw a flow rate of 30 000 m³ per second (1 million feet³ per second) completely submerging the North Korean side of the border.

Reports from the state-run news agency KCNA said that 4 200 citizens were rescued using helicopters in about 6 hours.

Some areas in the counties on the shore of the Amnok River in North Phyongan, Jagang, and Ryanggang provinces, including the city of Sinuiju and Uiju County, should be declared as special-level disaster emergency areas, said Kim Jong Un.

Currently, the North Korean government is focusing on damage control and rehabilitation.

The KCNA report stated that further downpours are still expected in the region and Kim Jong Un has instructed authorities to make full preparations in advance and start taking permanent rehabilitation measures immediately after the danger of flooding has subsided.

The news reports haven’t mentioned any casualties or injuries, but indicate heavy damage and flooding.

References:

¹ Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un inspects flood-hit areas in City of Sinuiju and Uiju County of North Phyongan Province – PyongyangTimes – July 29, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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