Days of heavy rain could cause flooding or landslides across North Korea, officials warned, AFP reported. The alert came, as 16 people have died in South Korea as on Thursday, as heavy downpour has triggered floods and landslides.

North Korea is particularly vulnerable to sustained heavy rain as many mountains and hills have long been stripped of vegetation, allowing water to flow downhill unchecked.

The country’s official KCNA news agency said areas hardest-hit by the downpour include Hwanghae province, a major agricultural region.

“It is important to take necessary measures for the regions which are in danger,” said Dokgo Hyok Chol, an official at the State Hydro-meteorological Administration.

No casualties or damage have been reported in the North.

Meanwhile, in South Korea at least 16 people have been killed over the past few days by floods in the central region. Another 11 are missing, while 1,600 people have been displaced from their homes, authorities said, AFP reported. 

Among the hardest hit are North and South Chungcheong provinces, Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported. 

Flood alert has been issued for several areas in the capital Seoul for the first time in nine years, as heavy rains pushed up the water level of the Han river that flows through the capital city.