North Korea is seriously affected by floods after rain fell incessantly for almost a week, hundreds of people being killed or reported missing, authorities said on Tuesday.

About 30,000 homes have been destroyed by raging waters and thousands of families are displaced across the country, North Korean media reported.

The transport infrastructure has been severely damaged, numerous roads and railways being washed off since last week. Entire settlements were left without electricity and other essentials, as murky waters contaminated most drinkable water sources.

The agricultural sector took a powerful blow, entire crops being compromised in the country that had to deal with food shortage in the past and now faces a similar dramatic situation.

Every year the rainy season brings heavy precipitations, but damages didn't reach this summer's level. Massive flooding wreaked havoc and caused loss of human lives mostly in the southern province of Kangwon-do, authorities reporting that tens of thousands were forced to leave their homes and head for higher ground or shelters.

Aid workers spread across North Korea to provide assistance and distribute supplies to people affected by the disaster. But the International Committee of the Red Cross said supplies received aren’t enough and urged neighbouring countries to send aid as quick as possible in order to avoid a crisis that is taking shape through the pouring rain.

Specialists say the severe damages are triggered by constant deforestation, entire areas covered with trees being turned into farming land or other exposed sites that favour the propagation of floods and landslides.

Last year, North Korea received aid from its southern neighbour and was able to pull through the calamity that struck thousands during the rainy season.