Torrential rains due to typhoon Maysak caused heavy flood damage in parts of North Korea on Thursday, and also prompted residents near Mount Kumgang to evacuate, state-media reported.
The Korean Central Television Broadcasting Station has been running breaking news in real time and updates on the ninth tropical storm of the season nearly every hour since 6 p.m. Wednesday, reports Yonhap News Agency.
The North, however, anticipated typhoon Maysak to weaken throughout the country later in the day. "(The typhoon) has weakened due to low pressure, and we expect it to drastically weaken further and leave our country after passing near Musan county," the station reported.
The North also lifted its warning for heavy rainfall and strong winds issued earlier. "The intensity of the winds were not as powerful as it was during typhoon Bavi," it said.
The North's weather agency forecast that rainfall will continue in Hamgyong province and in the northern regions, with strong winds in some areas, but most areas will not be affected by the typhoon. Maysak is characterised by heavy rainfall more than strong winds, the station said.
Among the regions affected by heavy rainfall was the country's eastern coastal town of Wonsan, which received up to 132 m of rain in just three hours.
