Asia-Pacific

Extreme cold damages Mongolia's economy

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-30 21:02

ULAN BATOR: Mongolia's economy has been hard hit by its prolonged spell of extreme cold weather and heavy snow, with the southern province of Dundgobi the hardest hit, a local official said.

"A direct loss of US$6.6 million has been suffered by the economy of Dundgobi province due to extreme cold and continuous snow blizzards," Dundgobi Governor Sh. Turbat told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Almost all of the provinces are suffering from a natural disaster known as dzud, with snowfall depths ranging from of 20-90 centimeters.

The average temperature in the province has dropped to -36 degrees Celsius at night and -26 degrees Celsius during the day.

"We are trying our best to overcome the winter difficulties. The local government's priority is to prevent the loss of human lives. Herders are losing their lives while trying to save their livestock. We are delivering to most affected areas fodder and forage to keep the herders in their winter camp," Turbat said.

Blizzards classified as dangerous to extremely hazardous stuck the province on January 26, a day after 197,240 head of livestock were destroyed due to the extreme weather.