2012 North Korean floods

Last updated

2012 North Korean floods
North Korea (orthographic projection).svg
Location of North Korea
Date19 July, 2012 – 17 September, 2012
Location North Korea
Deaths330+ killed, 144 injured, 234,000+ homeless

The 2012 North Korean floods began in mid-July 2012 when Tropical Storm Khanun affected parts of the country, killing at least 88 people and leaving more than 62,000 people homeless. Torrential rains on 29 and 30 July 2012 worsened the situation, causing additional damage and casualties and forcing the government to request international assistance. [1] Severe rainfall also affected the southern region of North Korea in August, killing at least six.

Contents

Tropical Storm Khanun

Tropical Storm Khanun over North Korea on 19 July Khanun over Korea Jul 19 2012.jpg
Tropical Storm Khanun over North Korea on 19 July
Houses in South Hamgyong Province damaged by floods in July 2012 Houses destroyed by flood.jpg
Houses in South Hamgyong Province damaged by floods in July 2012

Khanun made landfall in South Korea on 19 July and weakened as it moved over North Korea before dissipating over China. The government on 29 July increased the number of fatalities as a result of flooding caused by Khanun from 8 to 88, with an additional 134 injured. The biggest loss of human life was in two counties of South Pyongan province. At least 62,900 were made homeless by the flooding, while more than 30,000 hectares of land for growing crops were submerged and will add to growing fears of another looming famine in the country. Three hundred public buildings and 60 factories were damaged during the storm. [2]

July 29-30 rains

Torrential rains hit North Korea again on 29 and 30 July, with approximately 442 millimeters (17.4 inches) of rain recorded in Pakchon County of North Phyongan Province during a 24-hour period from 6 a.m. local time 29 July. The rains worsened the flood situation caused by Khanun, destroying railways, roads, bridges and 'many' dwelling houses. The government said many residents in the affected region were left homeless, but no figures have yet been released about damage and casualties. [3]

The North Korean government has asked assistance from resident United Nations agencies, the Red Cross, and European Union Program Support Units. The North Korean government also supported two inter-agency assessment missions in South Pyongan and Kangwon provinces on 31 July. [3] [4]

On 1 August, KCNA announced that North and South Pyongan provinces and Nyongwon county were severely affected by floods, landslides and thunderbolts, which destroyed 4,900 dwellings, submerged 8,530 homes and destroyed or submerged 200 public buildings and factories. [5] KCNA also reported significant damage to coal mining and processing infrastructure in the area. Some 179,000 tonnes of coal were washed away, along with about 200 pieces of equipment at the Kaechon and Tokchon mining complexes. Railways serving the complexes were also damaged. [6] State media reported at least 31 were killed by landslides and lightning, with 16 others missing. [1]

On 4 August, the North Korean government said the death toll from both Khanun and the torrential rains in late July had risen to 169, with around 400 others missing. It said 8,600 houses were destroyed and 44,000 houses were flooded, leaving more than 212,200 people homeless. [7]

17–20 August rains

Torrential rains hit North Korea again between late 17 August and early 20 August, causing at least six deaths and destroying more than 530 buildings in the southern region of the country. Three people were killed in North Hwanghae Province, three people were also killed in South Phyongan Province, and an unknown number of people were killed in South Hwanghae Province. [8]

Typhoon Bolaven

In North Korea, heavy rains from the storm triggered significant flooding and many landslides in late August. [9] In South Hamgyong Province, at least 100 homes were flooded by the storm. [10] KCNA reported wind speeds of more than 108 km/h (67 mph) in North and South Hwanghae, South Hamgyong, South Pyongan and the city of Nampho, and waves as high as 1.11 m (3.6 ft) in the sea of Kimchaek. [11] Widespread damage took place throughout the country as a result of the storm. At least 6,700 homes were destroyed and approximately 101,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of crop and rice fields were flooded. Additionally, 16,730 trees were downed and 880 public and industrial buildings were severely damaged. In all, at least 48 people were killed and 21,800 others were left homeless. [12]

Typhoon Sanba

Torrential rains from South Korea on 17 September made a landfall that spread beyond the Korean DMZ Zone to North Korea.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989 Pacific typhoon season</span> Typhoon season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1989 Pacific typhoon season was a highly above-average season. It has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1989, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Tropical Storms forming in the Western Pacific basin were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Tropical depressions that enter or form in the Philippine area of responsibility are assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA. This can often result in the same storm having two names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Rusa</span> Pacific typhoon in 2002

Typhoon Rusa was the most powerful typhoon to strike South Korea in 43 years. It was the 21st JTWC tropical depression, the 15th named storm, and the 10th typhoon of the 2002 Pacific typhoon season. It developed on August 22 from the monsoon trough in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, well to the southeast of Japan. For several days, Rusa moved to the northwest, eventually intensifying into a powerful typhoon. On August 26, the storm moved across the Amami Islands of Japan, where Rusa left 20,000 people without power and caused two fatalities. Across Japan, the typhoon dropped torrential rainfall peaking at 902 mm (35.5 in) in Tokushima Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 North Korean floods</span>

Flooding in North Korea in July 2006 caused extensive damage and loss of life, although reports differ about its extent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season</span> Cyclone season in the North Indian ocean

The 1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average season in annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. Despite this, the season had the second highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy in the basin on record behind only 2019 The season has no official bounds but cyclones tend to form between April and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean—the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of five tropical cyclones form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Meari (2011)</span> Pacific severe tropical storm in 2011

Severe Tropical Storm Meari, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Falcon, was an unusually large tropical cyclone that caused significant damage from the Philippines to the Korean Peninsula in June 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 China floods</span> 2010 series of natural disasters throughout China

The 2010 China floods began in early May 2010. Three hundred and ninety-two people died, and a further 232 people were reported missing as of June 30, 2010, including 57 people in a landslide in Guizhou. Fifty-three of the deaths occurred from the flooding and landslides between May 31 and June 3, and 266 deaths occurred between June 13 and June 29. Four hundred and twenty four people were killed by the end of June, including 42 from the Guizhou landslide; 277 more were killed and 147 were missing in the first two weeks of July, bringing the death toll as of August 5 to 1,072. A landslide in early August in Gansu killed at least 1,471 people and left 294 missing. In total, the flooding and landslides killed at least 3,185 people in China by August 31. More than 230 million people in 28 provinces, municipalities, and regions, especially the southern and central provinces and regions of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing Municipality, Gansu, Sichuan, and Guizhou, and the northeastern province of Jilin were affected, while at least 4.66 million people were evacuated because of the risk of flooding and landslides in the latter half of June. By early August, over 12 million people were evacuated, and that number rose to 15.2 million by August 31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Kompasu (2010)</span> Pacific typhoon in 2010

Typhoon Kompasu, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Glenda, was a strong tropical cyclone that moved along Okinawa, Japan and west coast of the Korean Peninsula before striking the Seoul Metropolitan Area in early-September 2010. It was the first significant system to directly strike the Seoul Metropolitan since Typhoon Prapiroon in 2000 and the strongest typhoon to directly impact the area since Tropical Storm Janis in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Judy (1989)</span> Pacific typhoon in 1989

Typhoon Judy of July 1989 was a strong tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and loss of life in Japan, South Korea and the eastern Soviet Union. Originating from a monsoon trough on July 21, Judy began as a tropical depression west of the Northern Mariana Islands. Tracking west-northwest, the system gradually intensified into a tropical storm and was given the name Judy on July 23. By this time, the storm had turned due north. Two days later, Judy attained typhoon status as it began a gradual turn to the west-northwest. Late on July 25, the storm peaked with winds of 165 km/h (105 mph). Striking Kyushu on July 27, interaction with the island's mountainous terrain caused Judy to quickly weaken as it neared South Korea. The weakened storm struck the country west of Pusan the following day before losing its identity near the border with North Korea. The remnants of Judy were last noted over the Sea of Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Gordon</span> Pacific typhoon in 1989

Typhoon Gordon, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Goring, was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage and loss of life in the Philippines and Southern China in July 1989. Gordon developed into a tropical depression near the Northern Mariana Islands on July 9 and quickly intensified as it tracked west-southwestward. On July 13, the storm attained typhoon status and subsequently underwent a period of rapid intensification. By July 15, the storm attained its peak strength as a Category 5 equivalent super typhoon with winds estimated at 260 km/h (160 mph). After striking the northern Philippines, Gordon moved through the South China Sea and slowly weakened. On July 18, the storm made landfall in southern China and was last noted the following day as it dissipated over land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Khanun (2012)</span> Pacific severe tropical storm in 2012

Severe Tropical Storm Khanun, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Enteng, was the first tropical cyclone to directly impact Korea in two years. It is the 8th named storm, the 3rd severe tropical storm, and overall, the 13th tropical cyclone to be monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) during 2012. Khanun was also the first tropical storm to make a landfall over Korea in 2012. Khanun means "jack fruit" in Thai.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Bolaven (2012)</span> Pacific typhoon in 2012

Typhoon Bolaven, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Julian, was regarded as the most powerful storm to strike the Korean Peninsula in nearly a decade, with wind gusts measured up to 186 km/h (116 mph). Forming as a tropical depression on August 19, 2012, to the southwest of the Mariana Islands, Bolaven steadily intensified as it slowly moved west-northwestward in a region favoring tropical development. The system was soon upgraded to a tropical storm less than a day after formation and further to a typhoon by August 21. Strengthening became more gradual thereafter as Bolaven grew in size. On August 24, the system attained its peak intensity, with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a barometric pressure of 910 mbar. Weakening only slightly, the storm passed directly over Okinawa on August 26 as it began accelerating toward the north. Steady weakening continued as Bolaven approached the Korean Peninsula and it eventually made landfall in North Korea late on August 28 before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. The remnants rapidly tracked northeastward over the Russian Far East before turning eastward and were last noted on September 1 crossing the International Dateline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Olga (1999)</span> Pacific typhoon in 1999

Typhoon Olga, also known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ising, was a destructive and deadly typhoon that hit Korean Peninsula in 1999. Olga killed 106 people in Korea and caused $657 million in damages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 North Korean floods</span>

The 2016 North Korean floods began in late-August 2016 as a consequence of Typhoon Lionrock, killing at least 525 people, destroying more than 35,000 homes, and leaving over 100,000 people homeless, mainly in the North Hamgyong Province. The floods occurred when the Tumen River, near the borders with China and Russia, broke its banks, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Red Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Gladys (1991)</span> Pacific tropical storm in 1991

Tropical Storm Gladys in August 1991 was a large tropical cyclone that affected Japan and South Korea. An area of disturbed weather first formed within the Western Pacific monsoon trough on August 15. Slowly organizing, the disturbance developed into a tropical depression on August 15. Heading northwest, Gladys became a tropical storm the following day. Despite forecasts of significant strengthening, its large size only enabled slow intensification. After turning west, Gladys attained peak intensity on August 21 near Okinawa. After turning north and bypassing Kyushu, Gladys began to encounter significant wind shear, which caused weakening. Gladys veered west, interacting with land. Gladys weakened to a tropical depression on August 24, and dissipated the next day.

Between June and August 2020, floods severely impacted large areas of both North and South Korea due to heavy rains of the regional rainy season, primarily in the far southern parts of the Korean Peninsula. These floods are closely related to ones across China and in Kyushu, Japan. As of 9 August 2020, 30 people have died in South Korea as a result.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoons in the Korean Peninsula</span> Tropical cyclones in the Korean peninsula

The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula region located over Eastern Asia. The region is divided into North Korea and South Korea.

Korea has historically suffered several floods due to heavy rains, typhoons, and heavy snowfalls. Most of the flood damage was caused by storms and tsunamis caused by typhoons, and floods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typhoon Khanun (2023)</span> Pacific typhoon in 2023

Typhoon Khanun, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Falcon, was a powerful, erratic and long-lived tropical cyclone that moved along Okinawa, Japan and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula in August 2023. The sixth named storm, and the fourth typhoon of the 2023 Pacific typhoon season. Khanun started as a low-pressure area in the Pacific Ocean. It rapidly intensified into a Category 4-equivalent typhoon on the Saffir–Simpson scale over the Philippine Sea on August 1, before undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle. Khanun weakened slightly as it moved closer to the Ryukyu Islands, battering them with heavy rain and strong winds. Khanun began to degrade its eye on satellite imagery due to quasi-stationary and warming cloud tops. Steady weakening continued as Khanun approached the Korean Peninsula and it eventually made landfall on Geojedo in South Korea. The storm dissipated shortly thereafter.

References

  1. 1 2 "North Korea Floods and Storms Destroy Mines, Kill 31 More". Business Week. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  2. "Scores killed in North Korea floods". Al Jazeera . Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Casualties feared after torrential rains hit North Korea". BNO News. 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  4. "U.N. to send team into North Korea after floods". Reuters. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  5. "Downpours Damage Some Areas of DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  6. "Collieries Damaged by Flood in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 1 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  7. "WFP sends emergency food aid to North Korea after floods kill 169". BNO News. 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  8. "New floods in North Korea kill six, destroy hundreds of buildings". BNO News. 23 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  9. 台風15号で被害続出=北朝鮮. 時事通信 (in Japanese). Yahoo! News. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  10. 翻訳 劉英/編集翻訳 恩田有紀 (31 August 2012). "台風15号 北朝鮮で3人死亡、3300人が家失う". 毎日中国経済. Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  11. "DPRK Hit by Typhoon-15". Korean Central News Agency. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  12. "Typhoon Bolaven kills 48 in N. Korea". Pyongyang, North Korea: United Press International. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.