A Dzud Has Struck Mongolia

Dzuud is a term that in Mongolia refers to severe winter conditions when a significant number of livestock can perish due to freezing or being buried under snow.

According to the Emergency Management Agency, the affected aimags include Uvs, Khovd, and Zavkhan in the west, as well as Övörkhangai in the central part of the country and Selenge in the north.

It is also reported that another 16 aimags are facing conditions similar to dzuud.

As of January 16, Ulaanbaatar recorded minimum nighttime temperatures ranging from -33 to -36 degrees, while daytime temperatures fluctuate between -22 and -28 degrees.

Animal husbandry is a key sector of Mongolia's economy, upon which nearly 40% of the nomadic population depends.

However, due to the harsh winter, many nomads lose part of their livestock each year.

According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), Mongolia had 58.1 million head of livestock at the end of 2025.

Tatar S. Maidar

source: MiddleAsianNews