The government of North Korea appears to be distraught as it has pledged to punish local officials over a typhoon that hit the eastern coast on Wednesday.
A Workers’ Party newspaper accused authorities in the coastal city of Wonsan of failing to prepare for Typhoon Maysak, and blamed them for their “irresponsible attitude”.
The paper however did not report how many were missing, injured or dead, but disclosed that there were “dozens of casualties”.
It alleged that officials refused to follow directives laid down by the ruling party.
Local authorities in Wonsan had been given the order to “immediately organise a project to thoroughly identify properties at risk and evacuate all residents”, Saturday’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper said.
“A decision was made to impose severe party, administrative, and legal punishment to those responsible for the casualties.”
According to international media, It is impossible to confirm whether the local officials failed to follow the orders, or if they’re being unfairly targeted by the ruling party in order to calm public discontent.
Footage from the state owned media earlier in the week displayed bridges and concrete walls in Kangwon province destroyed by high flood waters.
Typhoon Maysak caused damage in North Korea just one week after another typhoon, Typhoon Bavi, hit the country.
The Asian nation is particularly vulnerable to flooding as a result of deforestation of mountains and hills. The dwindling state of the infrastructure also means that natural disasters pose a particular challenge.
Neighbouring country, South Korea were also hit by Typhoon Maysak, leaving at least two people dead and subsequently displacing more than 2,200 people and who evacuated to the southern city of Busan.
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