Ulaanbaatar
River Levels Surpass Flood Thresholds Across Central Mongolia
Society
Ulaanbaatar, July 16, 2025 /MONTSAME/. A total of 513 emergency personnel from the Emergency Operations Units of all 21 aimags, the capital city, and nine districts are working on duty. During the National Naadam holiday from July 10 to 14, local and national emergency units responded to 66 disaster and emergency incidents, successfully rescuing and safeguarding the lives of 94 citizens, according to the National Emergency Management Agency.
Despite these efforts, reports confirmed the tragic loss of 14 lives due to drowning and flash floods in Selenge, Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs, Khentii, Zavkhan, Bayankhongor, Uvurkhangai aimags, and Bayanzurkh District of Ulaanbaatar.
In connection with the situation, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia and Head of the State Emergency Commission Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan worked at the Headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency on July 15,2025, holding a virtual meeting with emergency response units from 21 aimags.
To enhance preventive measures, NEMA reported that more than 400 personnel from central and provincial emergency departments are currently operating boat patrols, horseback patrols, and foot patrols along 29 rivers, lakes, and water bodies across 14 aimags.
Emergency officers are actively disseminating real-time safety advisories and alerts, installing prohibitory signage, and delivering safety recommendations to vacationers and travelers at water recreation sites in order to prevent further accidents.
River levels of the Khangai Mountains have risen significantly—by 20 to 120 centimeters in just 24 hours. The surge affects rivers sourced from the northern and southern slopes of the Khangai range. Rivers such as the Orkhon, Ider, Urd Tamir, and Khoyd Tamir (north side), as well as the Baidrag, Tuiy, Taats, and Ongi (south side) have all experienced notable increases in water levels.
As of July 14, most rivers and streams have exceeded their multi-year average levels by 5 to 60 centimeters. Particularly, the Orkhon River and Khugshin Orkhon River near Kharkhorin soum, and the Baidrag River near Bayanburd soum have surpassed flood thresholds by 5 to 10 centimeters. Meanwhile, the Orkhon River near Bat-Ulzii soum and the Taats River near Nariinteel soum have reached dangerous flood thresholds, exceeding them by 1 to 5 centimeters.
