Several areas and households have been severely impacted by flooding in Ulaanbaatar City, prompting the evacuation of residents from affected areas. Last Friday, intense flooding occurred in Khan-Uul District’s 12th, 13th, and 14th khoroos due to the Tuul River’s overflowing. This resulted in significant water damage to families. The district’s Emergency Management Department acted fast, responding to the crisis by assisting four households in the 12th khoroo and 117 households in the 13th khoroo, all of which were inundated. Moreover, over 50 families in the 14th khoroo faced similar flooding issues. As mentioned, the department worked diligently on-site, and temporary shelters have been established at Schools No. 26 and No. 59 to accommodate displaced residents. Efforts are currently underway to repair the damaged riverbanks.

Moreover, the Emergency Management Department of the capital city received 15 emergency calls on August 3. In response, personnels undertook extensive measures, including pumping out 539.5 tons of water, constructing 60 meters of embankments, and digging 40 meters of drainage. They also relocated two households and transported 11 individuals to safer areas. Of the emergency calls received, 10 were related to house or ger and fence flooding, while four involved public roads and areas affected by the floods.

Furthermore, measures to prevent flood risks are ongoing, including the construction of 3,700 meters of road drainage pipes and 1,090 meters of flood channels in five locations in Ulaanbaatar. Currently, the work is 70 percent complete. The head of the working group, B.Bymbasaikhan noted during the urgent meeting of municipal officials, “At the Shunkhlai Gas Station site, a 210-meter flood protection embankment has been completed, and restoration work will be carried out. Additionally, the flood protection infrastructure in the 13th khoroo of Chingeltei District, including a 350-meter flood channel, is 85 percent complete.”

The heavy rains have also caused damage to local roads in various regions. For instance, the road connecting Ulaanbaatar City and Choir soum of Govisumber Province experienced significant flooding at the 225th and 233rd kilometers, resulting in damage to embankments. Similarly, the road from Mandalgovi soum of Dundgovi Province to Dalanzadgad soum of Umnugovi Province was affected at the 230th and 266th kilometers, where floodwaters eroded the embankments. Sections of the road from Undurkhaan soum of Khentii Province to Choibalsan soum of Dornod Province, between the 32nd and 36th kilometers, have been washed out by flash flooding and are currently under repair.

The damage from the most recent heavy rain does not stop here. The road from Lun soum of Tuv Province to Dashinchilen soum of Bulgan Province and Battsengel soum of Arkhangai Province experienced 100 meters of embankment and ditches washed away at the 135th kilometer. Furthermore, on the road from Darkhan-Uul Province to Orkhon Province, the 170th and 171st kilometers experienced washouts on both sides of the road. Moreover, the road from Kharkhorin soum of Uvurkhangai Province to Tsetserleg soum of Arkhangai Province saw the 104th to 106th kilometers washed out by floodwaters, with repair work on the embankments ongoing. These damages occurred following the heavy rains last Friday. Officials have advised those planning to travel to these areas to check road conditions and weather forecasts thoroughly.

On August 2, the B1 floor of the Social Insurance Office building in Govi-Altai Province was submerged. In Arvaikheer soum of Uvurkhangai Province, local authorities received 13 emergency calls about flooding of homes, buildings, and vehicles due to heavy rainfall on August 1. Residents were evacuated from flood-prone areas due to collapsed fences and structures. As of August 3, the water level in the Orkhon Waterfall which is located in the province had risen by 55 cm compared to the previous day. Therefore, the officials have cautioned drivers to avoid traveling from Kharkhorin soum to Bat-Ulzii soum of the above province.