North Korea on alert for powerful Typhoon Hinnamnor

Big tides are seen on Jeju Island on Monday. [YONHAP]

North Korea is taking precautionary measures as it braces for a "super strong" typhoon churning toward the Korean Peninsula, according to its state media Monday.

North Korean officials have inspected buildings at risk of flooding or collapsing while fishing boats out at sea were recalled to port as Typhoon Hinnamnor is expected to bring heavy rains, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Pyongyang has taken measures to prevent damage in areas frequently hit by mudslides and inspected the transportation infrastructure, including railways and buses.

The Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, also said the country has come up with strict measures to prevent the spread and "inflow of malicious virus" through typhoons and tsunamis.

The paper then ramped up calls for efforts to avoid flood damage in major farming areas, which could aggravate the country's already serious food shortages.

A heavy rain advisory was issued for regions in the eastern Gangwon Province, the border city of Kaesong and the southern areas of Hwanghae Province as up to 100-150 millimeters (4-6 inches) of rainfall is expected to pound the regions, according to the Korean Central Broadcasting Station.

Typhoon Hinnamnor, the 11th this year, is forecast to reach waters off Jeju Island in South Korea this week as a "very strong" typhoon. Typhoons are classified into four categories: medium, strong, very strong and super strong.

Yonhap