20 Jul 2018 | 01:42 AM UTC
Mongolia: Widespread flooding leaves 48 dead as of July 18
Widespread flooding, notably in Ulaanbaatar and in provinces of Bayan-Ölgii, Khovd, Uvs, and Govi-Altai, leaves at least 48 dead as of July 18; additional heavy rain forecast in the coming days
Event
Widespread heavy rains and flooding have left at least 48 people dead in Mongolia since the beginning of summer as of Wednesday, July 18. Among the areas most severely affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding are the capital Ulaanbaatar, and parts of the provinces of Bayan-Ölgii, Khovd, Uvs, and Govi-Altai. Evacuations, road damages, and power outages have been reported due to the flooding. Notably, flooding has affected some 2500 people in Bayan-Ölgii province, damaging buildings and forcing evacuations.
Further heavy rainfall is forecast in parts of western, northern, and central Mongolia in the coming days, exacerbating the risk of flooding from already-swollen rivers. Additional consequent evacuations, transportation disruptions, and power outages are possible in affected areas.
Advice
Individuals present in the abovementioned areas are advised to monitor weather forecasts, refrain from traveling to flooded areas, and follow any instructions issued by local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
