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.

Floods in Mongolia, July 2018. Photo: NEMA Mongolia
Floods in Mongolia, July 2018. Photo: NEMA Mongolia

Flood Summary

Last updated: August 24, 2018
Event
Mongolia, July 2018
Date
July 11 to July 25, 2018
Type
River flood
Cause
Long-term rainfall, Snow melt

Locations

A - Bayan-Ölgii
B - Khovd
C - Uvs
D - Govi-Altai
E - Ulaanbaatar

Magnitude

River level
2.6 metres
Khovd river at Ölgii city, Bayan-Ölgii province - July 17 to July 17, 2018
Flood stage is 2.6 metres.
River level
2.72 metres
Khovd river in Myangad district, Khovd Province - July 19 to July 19, 2018
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

Damages

Rescued
60 people
Ölgii city and Ulaanbaatar - July 11 to July 22, 2018
Affected
10,000
July 11 to July 22, 2018
Estimated figure. A Red Cross report of 20 august said "over 2,264 households across the country"