North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and state media have ignored some areas of the country devastated by last week’s flooding while favoring others for immediate relief, NK News analysis of satellite imagery and state media shows, as the northeast region braces for heavy storms again this week.

Days after NK News revealed evidence of widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and farmland from flash floods in South Hamgyong province, Kim reportedly ordered the military on Aug. 5 to assess and manage recovery efforts in the province.

However, he left out the northeastern province of North Hamgyong from his order despite the area suffering from similarly severe destruction, according to new analysis of Planet Labs satellite imagery.

Coordinates: 42.061903° 129.708777°

Coordinates: 42.015624° 129.708231°

Korean Central Television (KCTV) initially reported that Puryong county, located next to the North Hamgyong capital of Chongjin, had received 583 millimeters (23 inches) of rain between Aug. 1 and 3 — the highest totals nationwide — but state media reports through Aug. 8 only reported on flood damage from South Hamgyong province.

People in underdeveloped parts of Puryong county and neighboring Hoeryong city have lost their homes to raging river waters, and many now appear cut off by broken bridges and washed-out roads from flooding and landslides. Examples of recent flood destruction in these areas are shown in comparison images above and below.

Coordinates: 42.136765° 129.663043°

Coordinates: 42.241814° 129.745866°

Authorities also neglected and did not provide proper aid relief to some of these areas after Typhoon Lionrock caused major damage in late summer 2016. In one area south of Hoeryong city, shown below, flooding last week completely washed away a group of homes that was partly damaged by the typhoon five years ago. A nearby bridge was also ruined after it was destroyed and rebuilt in 2016. 

Coordinates: 42.281648° 129.782174°

Both North and South Hamgyong now appear to be bracing for more storms this week, as the DPRK State Hydro-Meteorological Administration warned on Sunday that the entire east coast of the country is forecast to receive downpours of 100-200 millimeters (4-8 inches) between Aug. 10 and 11, including in Puryong and Sinhung that appeared to suffer the most severe damage last week.

KCTV revised the numbers on Monday evening and raised the forecast to at least 250 millimeters (9.8 inches) in parts of North Hamgyong between Aug. 10 and 12.

North Korean meteorologists on Sunday also repeated warnings that at least one typhoon may hit the peninsula later this month.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery shows that some areas that state media said would see severe storms last week, such as Sinuiju in the northwest, did not appear to incur any flood damage. 

Coordinates: 42.048724° 129.738708°

Edited by Arius Derr