Mongolia -Temperature rise causes devastating flash floods, avalanches in Mongolia

Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Language: Mongolian

Duration: 00:04:28

Source: A24 subscribers

Restrictions: A24 clients

Dateline: 01/17/2021

Storyline:

Mongolians have started to bear the brunt of climate change and global warming as their country now suffers from extreme flash floods caused by frozen lakes whose ice layer has not been thick enough to prevent a glacier break off. A rescuer of Mongolia’s national emergency response agency said that, according to the Meteorological Agency, December of 2021 was among the warmest months the East Asia country has ever witnessed, adding that the ice covering frozen lakes and rivers was 5-50 cm thinner than average. He sounded the alarm on the issue, saying in 2021, the authorities reported 16 cases of ice avalanches that claimed the lives of four.

Shot Lists:

• (SOUNDBITE) A citizen, B. Buyandalai:

“In winter, there are many accidents caused by people recklessly driving on the ice. On my way to Khövsgöl, I came across a number of cars on the road that had crashed into rivers and lakes. At this time, there are a lot of people who are dragged by cars and put at double risk to evacuate without calling the emergency services. Therefore, it is important to travel carefully.”

• (SOUNDBITE) Rescuer of National Emergency Management Agency, T.Uugankhuu:

“According to the Meteorological Agency, November and December of last year were warmer than the average of many years. Especially in November, the temperature was 1-9.7 degrees warmer. Due to this, the formation of ice cover in the river is delayed. Most rivers and streams are covered by ice, but the ice thickness is 5-50 cm thinner than in previous years. In 2021, there were 16 cases of ice avalanches, and 4 people were tragically killed. Citizens and drivers are being warned to stop shortening roads and not to use unsecured roads and bridges.”

• (SOUNDBITE) A citizen, O.Enerel:

“There are always news about how people flood in river he said. Due to the temperature this year, people traveling by car on the river ice have been killed and their property has been damaged. It could be really dangerous thing, driving in ice.”

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