The emergency headquarters and the Risk Management Department of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have jointly conducted a general assessment of the risk of flash flooding throughout the nation. 315 soums of 20 provinces were included in the assessment. Of these, 161 soums were found to have a high level of flooding. In particular, 4,470 households in 53 soums of seven provinces are at high risk of flooding. Those include Darkhan-Uul, Khentii, Khovd, Khuvsgul, Orkhon, Sukhbaatar and Zavkhan provinces. NEMA advised the local administration to urgently organize the evacuation of people living in flood-prone areas.
Moreover, the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Kh.Nyambaatar along with related officials worked in the 26th khoroo of Songinokhairkhan District as part of the prevention of flooding. In particular, melted ice water from the mountain is falling and the groundwater level is rising around Bayanbulag in the 26th khoroo of Songinokhairkhan District. Therefore, they worked to strengthen and expand the flood water dam, build a soil drainage pump station, and build a water collection reservoir in this year's construction work.
Kh.Nyambaatar said, “Due to abundant rainfall in recent years, the soil water level is high. Because of this, it is difficult for the families in ger district to settle down. Therefore, several works are planned in this area. For example, it is planned to continue the 7.6 km flood embankment made last year with funding from the Asian Development Bank, strengthen it as a water channel, build a pumping station for soil drainage, and build a water collection reservoir at the border of the 18th and 19th khoroos of Songinokhairkhan District”. He then continued, “There is only one drainage station in Ulaanbaatar, which was built during the Socialist era. Therefore, in this big city with a population of 1.7 million, the construction work will not go ahead without the establishment of soil drainage stations in at least 10 locations”. The work of strengthening the flood water channel in the 40th khoroo of Songinokhairkhan District will be done in coordination with the design of the UN-Habitat. Also, it is planned to completely renovate the road from 5 Shar to Bayankhoshuu and solve the drainage system in a comprehensive way with the financing of the World Bank.
There is only one ground water drainage station in Ulaanbaatar. The station is located west of the Kharkhorin area and was built by scientists and engineers from Yugoslavia during the socialist period. Due to the lack of pumping stations, enterprises are unable to carry out construction work. For example, during the geological soil analysis related to the construction work of Urt Tsagaan, it was found that soil water comes out when 1.5 meters of ground were dug. When there is a need to remove soil water, there is no water removal construction in the area. Therefore, the Governor of the Capital City and Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Kh.Nyambaatar emphasized the need to build an additional soil drainage pumping station in Ulaanbaatar and create the possibility of 24-hour discharge to Dund, Selbe and Tuul rivers and other engineering facilities during all four seasons of the year.
Furthermore, in relation to the flooding, the Department of Geodesy and Water Construction received 11 calls and information about water on highways and flooding as of 3:00 p.m. on April 1. According to the call, 26 employees, 11 vehicles and two pumps worked in those areas and families needing help. For instance, the water in locations were pumped such as 23th khoroo of Songinokhairkhan District, Dari-Ekh road in 29th khoroo of Bayanzurkh District, front side of “Khas” market located in first khoroo of Songinokhairkhan District, 29th khoroo of Bayangol District. Also, the mountain water had come into the 21st khoroo of Khan-Uul District, therefore dust was poured and road patching to prevent water from entering the road and pedestrian crossing were done.
In addition, the Secretary of NEMA and Colonel, T.Bayarkhuu gave regular information about the conditions of winter and spring in Mongolia. Accordingly, as of April 1, 30 percent of the entire area was covered with snow. In this area, the thickness of the snow was about seven centimeters, which reduces the risk of zud, but increases the risk of flash flooding. Moreover, there are 2,556 pregnant women, 29,000 children aged zero to five years old, 28,000 elderly people, and 31,000 people with disabilities or chronic underlying diseases in 21 provinces. Therefore, the resident doctors continue to provide medical care to people in rural areas. Also on this occasion, the secretary of the capital city’s emergency agency, D.Oyunbat presented the situation of flash flooding. He said, “There are 1,487 households in the capital city that are at risk of being affected by flash floods, and 388 households that are settled down without a land permit. These households have been told to move”. In addition, citizens should be aware of the harmful effects of flash floods and be responsible in order to protect their health and property.
