BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: North Korean floods

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Wednesday, 15 August 2007, 15:53 GMT 16:53 UK

In pictures: North Korean floods

A North Korean wades through heavy flooding, August 2007 (Picture courtesy of World Food Programme)

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North Korea has made a rare plea for outside help after large parts of the country were submerged by some of the worst floods in years.

A lamp stand on the on the flooded bank of the Taedong-gang River in Pyongyang, North Korea, 14/8/07 (Xinhua/AP)

A lamp stand on the on the flooded bank of the Taedong-gang River in Pyongyang, North Korea, 14/8/07 (Xinhua/AP)

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The capital Pyongyang, where the Taedong-gang river burst its banks, was among the places hit.

North Koreans try to repair flood damage, August 2007

North Koreans try to repair flood damage, August 2007

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Some of the country's infrastructure, like this riverside road, was damaged in severe storms that hit a week ago, and the flooding that followed.

North Koreans try to repair flood damage, August 2007

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Official media said the rains were the heaviest ever recorded in some parts of the country. Local people joined attempts to repair the damage.

North Koreans take shelter following heavy flooding, August 2007

North Koreans take shelter following heavy flooding, August 2007

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The country is one of the world's poorest. Displaced people in the outskirts of Pyongyang have taken refuge beneath tarpaulins or whatever shelter they can find.

North Korean crops are flooded, August 2007

North Korean crops are flooded, August 2007

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However, it is the flooding in rural areas that may have the biggest impact. More than a tenth of the country's farmland has been destroyed, the official news agency says.

North Koreans survey damage caused by flooding, August 2007 (Picture courtesy of World Food Programme)

North Koreans survey damage caused by flooding, August 2007 (Picture courtesy of World Food Programme)

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The country suffers from regular food shortages. About two million people are thought to have died from famine in the mid 1990s.

North Koreans wade through heavy flooding, August 2007 (Picture courtesy of World Food Programme)

North Koreans wade through heavy flooding, August 2007 (Picture courtesy of World Food Programme)

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The impoverished nation is highly dependent on donated food aid, and has appealed for urgent assistance. Hundreds of people are said to have died already.

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Related to this story:
N Korea floods devastate farmland (15 Aug 07 | Asia-Pacific )