Attachments
Description of the Event
Date of event
24-02-2026
What happened, where and when?
The snowstorm event started since 21 February 2026 across multiple provinces in Mongolia, particularly affecting eastern, northern, southern, and western regions, including Bayanhongor, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Govi-Altai, Khentii, Khuvsgul, Selenge, Sukhbaatar, Umnugovi, Tuv, Khovd, Uvs, and Zavkhan provinces. The storm brought sustained winds of up to 31 m/s, heavy snowfall, drifting snow, and extreme cold reaching –48°C. These conditions resulted in blocked roads and mountain passes, widespread mobility disruption, and life-threatening exposure risks. While immediate impacts were recorded during the storm period, 24 February marked a critical escalation in humanitarian consequences.
Livelihood impacts escalated significantly by 24 February. Authorities reported that 89,934 livestock had strayed during the storm; 52,199 were confirmed missing, of which 24,017 were recovered, while 28,182 remain unaccounted for. In addition, confirmed livestock mortality directly attributed to the storm exceeded 4,900 head. The scale of livestock displacement and death represents a substantial economic shock to pastoral households and indicates a high probability of further losses if conditions persist.
On 24 February, authorities implemented road transportation closures in affected provinces due to continued hazardous conditions, further restricting access to markets, health services, and emergency support. With additional heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions forecast for 28 February to 1 March, there is a significant likelihood of further livestock mortality, additional exposure incidents, and deeper socioeconomic deterioration among vulnerable herder communities. The convergence of confirmed fatalities, hospitalized injuries, ongoing search operations, transportation shutdowns, and large-scale livelihood losses constitutes the operational trigger for Red Cross action as of 24 February 2026.
By 24 February, cumulative reports confirmed multiple fatalities linked to exposure and storm-related incidents. Additional individuals sustained cold-related injuries requiring hospitalization, including a child diagnosed with second-degree frostbite. Five fatalities were confirmed due to exposure and hypothermia, including herders who became lost during snowstorms. More than 100 people, including adults and children, were rescued after becoming stranded, lost, or trapped in snow, and numerous emergency calls were registered for snow entrapment, missing persons, and vehicle breakdowns. A total of 56 people were reported injured in relation to the event. Search and rescue operations were ongoing for missing persons, including four individuals submerged following an ice-related vehicle accident on Lake Buir in Dornod Province. These incidents demonstrate acute life-threatening conditions directly associated with the storm and high-risk exposure behavior, as herders undertook searches for displaced livestock to protect their primary livelihood assets.