The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been hit hard by floods. July's rainfall has reached half a meter in some areas, the highest since 1973. The Red Cross has conducted relief operations in areas including Anju City in southern Phyongan Province.

Choi Yong-Chol, Head of Red Cross Anju City Branch, said, "Our Anju city wasn't flooded last summer thanks to the river bank, but the water came in two or three meters higher than the normal water levels this year, which ended up flooding the area."

Red Cross workers set up water tanks and tested local drinking supplies in flood-hit areas on Saturday. Clean water and aid supplies have been distributed to residents. DPRK state media said the death toll from flooding between late June and the end of July had increased to 169. The number of missing had risen to some 400, while over 212,000 have been left homeless. It reported that the floods had washed away over 65-thousand hectares of farmland. And more than 1,400 public buildings had also collapsed or been damaged.

The heavy rain and flooding is exacerbating the DPRK's already severe food shortage triggered by a spring drought.

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