Storms take toll on North Korea

[ls317]

Source: Msnbc.com

Powerful storms in North Korea have left “hundreds” dead or missing and destroyed more than 30,000 homes, the country’s state media reported Tuesday.

The official Korean Central News Agency said preliminary information revealed the massive casualties after the heavy rains that began last week, but gave no specific figures.

It also reported flooding of tens of thousands of acres of farmland in the impoverished country that suffers from regular food shortages.

“The heavy rain destroyed at least 800 public buildings, over 540 bridges, 70 sections of railroads and at least 1,100 vehicles, pumps and electric motors,” KCNA said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20254583/

[kestrel91316]

1. Well, that's ONE way to get population and carbon emissions

under control..........

But seriously - those poor people. They have suffered so long for no good reason. Kim Jong Il needs a visit from the Karma Fairy, and fast.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Red Cross: More than 220 people have been killed and 80 are still missing

The province of Kangwon suffered the highest toll, with 181 confirmed deaths, the International Federation of the Red Cross's Terje Lysholm said.

Aid agencies are working with the Pyongyang government to get emergency relief to the many thousands affected.

But power cuts and washed out roads are complicating the aid effort.

The heavy flooding of recent days has left as many as 300,000 people without homes and destroyed one-tenth of the country's much-needed farmland, North Korea said on Wednesday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6949275.stm