North Korea reports devastating storm

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PYONGYANG, North Korea, July 28 (UPI) -- A typhoon that crossed North Korea left devastation in its wake with at least 88 people dead, the country's official news agency said Saturday.

The Korea Central News Agency reported 17,000 houses had been damaged, destroyed or flooded, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported. Almost 63,000 people reportedly have been left homeless and much valuable farmland was underwater.

The casualties included 88 dead and 134 injured, KCNA reported.

Typhoon Khanun brought torrential rain on Monday and Tuesday, KCNA said.

Analysts suggested to Yonhap that the usually secretive North Korean government ordered reports on the typhoon damage because it hopes for foreign aid.