Seoul: North Korea appears to have released water from a dam near the inter-Korean border without giving prior notice, the environment ministry said Monday. Satellite imagery at 8:47 p.m. confirmed the release of water from the Hwanggang Dam on the upper reaches of the Imjin River, according to the ministry, which monitors such activity two to four times a day.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the water release was likely prompted by heavy rainfall in North Korea from Friday to Sunday, with more rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday. North Korea's unannounced water releases during the monsoon season have threatened the safety of residents in South Korea's border areas.

In September 2009, one such discharge left six South Koreans killed or missing. The following month, the North agreed to provide prior notice before discharging water and sent such notices intermittently in 2010 and 2013, but stopped afterward. The water level at Pilseung Bridge, the northernmost point of the Imjin River in South Korea, measured 79 centimeters at 10:10 p.m. A water level of 1 meter triggers an evacuation order for visitors in the river area.

The ministry said it will continue to analyze satellite imagery and check the water level at Pilseung Bridge to ensure no harm to nearby residents.