Mongolia - Floods (OCHA, IFRC, Media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 14 July 2023)

Heavy rain continues to affect Mongolia since 3 July 2023. The situation was exacerbated by the collapse of the Selbe River Dam, increasing the flooding in Ulaanbaatar. According to IFRC, 128,000 people from 31,600 households have been affected, while media reports indicate that more than 20,000 people are now in safe shelters.

The government declared a ‘high alert’ in Ulaanbaatar on 5 July as rains are forecasted to continue until 15 July 2023. In addition, media quoted the government experts that it is heaviest in the last 50 years.

Mongolia is increasingly facing climate change-related risks. Most vulnerable to these changes are traditional settlements, known as 'ger districts', often established on lowlands and mountain slopes, prone to flooding and mudslides.