Mongolia – Floods Prompt Rescues and Evacuations

Emergency officials in Mongolia say that parts of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and several provinces have been affected by flooding caused by heavy rain since 11 July, 2018. The flooding has caused “human, material and economic losses and impacts”.

Emergency teams have carried out dozens of rescues and hundreds of people have evacuated their homes. Power supply and roads have been damaged by the floods.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported on 19 July that flooding was affecting the province of Bayan-Ölgii in particular, as well as Khovd, Uvs and Govi-Altai provinces.

Teams made up of personnel from military, police, local municipalities and NEMA have been deployed to help with search and rescue, evacuations, distributing relief supplies and installing temporary flood defences.

In Bayan-Ölgii province, the Khovd river at Ölgii city, capital of the province, reached 2.6 metres (flood stage) on 17 July. NEMA said that flooding in the province from 14 July has affected around 2,500 people, damage buildings and prompted evacuations. Around 30 people were rescued from the flooding.

The Khovd river in Myangad district, Khovd Province, has been above flood stage (2.40m) since late June, and above 2.90m from 24 June to 11 July. As of 19 July the river level was 2.72 metres, still well above flood stage.

Districts of the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar have also been affected. NEMA reported flooding in the districts of Bayanzürkh, Sükhbaatar, Chingeltei and Bayangol on 17 July. A total of 29 people were rescued.

More rain is expected and river levels in western, northern and central parts of the country are likely to rise further.

Breaking NewsMongolia