MORE than 5,000 people have been airlifted out of flooded areas of north-western North Korea after heavy summer rains caused a river on the Chinese border to swell, state media reported today.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not mention any deaths or how much damage had been caused by the inundation on Saturday.

Summer floods often cause serious damage to farmlands in North Korea due to poor drainage, deforestation and dilapidated infrastructure.

About 10 military helicopters and navy and government boats were mobilised for the evacuation efforts in Sinuiju city and Uiju town. KCNA said that about 4,200 people were rescued by air.

The news agency credited supreme leader Kim Jong Un with overseeing the rescue operation on Sunday.

KCNA quoted Mr Kim as calling the rescue works “miraculous” and ordering food and other necessities to be provided to the affected people.

He criticised officials for failing to prepare for floods despite his orders to prevent damage, KCNA reported.

“They, seized with defeatism at combat with nature, do not confidently turn out in the disaster prevention work, only expecting chance from the sky,” Mr Kim said.