ULAN BATOR, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's capital elevated its disaster preparedness to high alert on Sunday due to rising water levels of major rivers caused by continuous heavy rainfall.
The high alert is expected to last until the end of next week, according to the mayor's office of Ulan Bator.
Several major rivers across the country, including Terelj, Tuul, Kherlen, Selbe and Sugnugur, have surpassed warning levels by 10 cm to 82 cm, the country's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring said, adding that water levels of these rivers are expected to rise further in the coming days.
Heavy rains have been hitting large parts of the country since midweek. In some areas, such as the national capital Ulan Bator, it snowed on Friday, an unusual occurrence for summer.
It is estimated that more than 25,000 people in the city live in areas at risk of flooding.
Mongolian authorities have warned the public, especially herders living along the rivers and tourists, to take extra precautions against possible disasters. ■
