North Korean houses, roads and railways damaged, displacing residents and possibly affecting Russia weapons trade

Heavy rains and landslides in North Korea’s border region with Russia have resulted in over a hundred flooded homes and damaged roads and railways, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery.

The flooding from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 likely displaced hundreds of people and possibly caused casualties. It may also lead to disruptions in cross-border travel and trade in weapons and other goods with Russia, though no large bridges or long-term repair projects were visible in the latest imagery. The border crossing area, including a new road bridge, also appeared unaffected.

State television reported on the morning of Sept. 1 that the central Rason City area received 266mm (10.4 inches) of rain over the previous day while warning of an additional two inches later that day.

However, the country’s main propaganda outlets have not released any information about the storm’s effects, likely in an attempt to hide negative news and prevent backlash from citizens.

North Korea previously disclosed information on dozens of deaths and over 10,000 displaced residents following significant flooding in Rason in 2015 and 2016.

Planet Labs imagery suggests the largest flooded area was in Kwangok-dong between the main port city of Rajin to the south and the smaller Sonbong port to the north. 

Over 100 homes were flooded, railroad tracks were covered by landslides and a sections of a road bridge appeared to break off in the Kwangok area just north of the main city of Rason | Image: Planet Labs (Aug. 27), edited by NK Pro

Over 100 homes were flooded, railroad tracks were covered by landslides and a sections of a road bridge appeared to break off in the Kwangok area just north of the main city of Rason | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 2, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Over 100 homes were flooded, railroad tracks were covered by landslides and a sections of a road bridge appeared to break off in the Kwangok area just north of the main city of Rason | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 4, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Closer look at the road bridge that appeared to break during the heavy rains and landslides upriver | Image: Planet Labs (Aug. 8, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Closer look at the road bridge that appeared to break during the heavy rains and landslides upriver | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 2, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Closer look at the road bridge that appeared to break during the heavy rains and landslides upriver | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 4, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Severe landslides in Kwangok have left a neighborhood of over 100 homes still mired in mud days after the rains, while sections of parallel road bridges appeared damaged or missing, medium-resolution imagery shows. The sprawling Sungri Chemical Factory across the river from there appeared largely unchanged.

There are also signs of large landslides on the mountainsides surrounding Rason city, likely damaging homes, businesses and port facilities on the east side of the bay.

The latest available imagery does not show obvious signs of damage to the west side of the bay, which hosts a coal terminal and a container port for weapons shipments with Russia. 

Some areas around Rason’s main sea ports appeared to be affected by flooding and landslides | Image: Planet Labs (Aug. 8, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Some areas around Rason’s main sea ports appeared to be affected by flooding and landslides | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 3, 2026), edited by NK Pro

More serious landslides and flooding occurred just to the north of the bay, including a small landslide at the tunnel entrance linking the city and Russia | Image: Planet Labs (Aug. 8, 2026), edited by NK Pro

More serious landslides and flooding occurred just to the north of the bay, including a small landslide at the tunnel entrance linking the city and Russia | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 2 & 3, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Landslides and flooding also likely displaced some residents and caused disruptions south of Rason and in northern Chongjin across the provincial border | Image: Planet Labs (Aug. 8, 2026), edited by NK Pro

Landslides and flooding also likely displaced some residents and caused disruptions south of Rason and in northern Chongjin across the provincial border | Image: Planet Labs (Sept. 3, 2026), edited by NK Pro

The Rajin Shipyard is located next door, where construction workers have amassed in recent weeks to start a major upgrade project likely tied to North Korea’s new warship plans. It’s possible that the rains have affected the workers’ camp that has been set up in a large dirt field on site.

More landslides occurred throughout a large area to the south of Rason, including in the northern rural area of Chongjin City, damaging more houses and covering roads and railways in multiple places.

This will have disrupted travel and aid efforts to Rason, as well as shipments of goods and weapons between North Korea and Russia. Recovery crews have likely set to work to clear these transport links as soon as possible.

North Korea also experienced severe flooding in the south of the country in late July. Authorities have executed a large recovery effort for thousands of displaced residents, but state media has kept a lid on news of damages and casualties.

Edited by David Choi