ISTANBUL

Flood victims in North Korea have returned to their homes after spending four months in the capital, Pyongyang, state-run Korea Central News Agency reported on Friday.

Floods displaced thousands of residents in the North Phyongan, Jagang, and Ryanggang provinces after heavy rains struck the region in July.

Authorities relocated those affected to Pyongyang in August.

Upon their return, the residents held a rally on Thursday in Pyongyang to present a letter of "loyalty" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Since July, heavy rains caused widespread flooding in northern and central North Korea, displacing thousands. In response, Kim's government deployed hundreds of volunteers to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.