15 missing as typhoon floods N Korea

Pyongyang, Sep 3 (IANS) At least 15 persons were missing after typhoon Lionrock caused floods in North Korea and led to evacuation of thousands, according to state media on Saturday.

The typhoon caused torrential rains of up to 320 mm per hour and strong winds in the recent days, EFE reported citing the KCNA agency said.

Hamgyong was among the worst-affected province as several localities were totally or partially inundated by the Tumen river overflowing its banks.

In Hoeryong city, 15 persons were missing, while 44,000 have been evacuated in Hamgyong province and around 17,180 houses were damaged by the rains.

At least 34 persons died after a five-storey building collapsed in Hamgyong due to torrential rain.

Officials continue to assess the damage caused by the typhoon and will take necessary measures to help the affected people, KCNA added.

Lionrock, the tenth typhoon of the season in the Pacific, ravaged North Korea after causing significant material damage this week in neighbouring China, and leaving at least 14 dead in Japan.