DPRK floods kill 169, 400 still missing

PYONGYANG - The death toll from floods the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had risen to 169, while 400 others remained missing, the Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday.

The number of people injured in the floods, caused by torrential rains from late June to July 31, also had climbed to 144, with the number of homeless advancing to 212,200, the DPRK's official news agency said.

In addition, more than 8,600 dwellings so far had been destroyed, 43,770 houses submerged, at least 65,280 hectares of cropland ruined, and more than 1,400 educational, healthcare and factory buildings inundated.

Officials across the country were visiting flood-stricken areas to take necessary disaster-relief measures, KCNA said.

The heavy rain and flooding has exacerbated the DPRK's already severe food shortage due to a spring drought.

The United Nations said Friday immediate food assistance was required to support the ongoing relief and recovery efforts in many affected areas across the country.