Deadly ‘dzud’ in Mongolia kills more than 7 million head of livestock

An extreme weather phenomenon known as the dzud has killed more than 7.1 million animals in Mongolia, endangering herders' livelihoods and way of life. Dzuds are a combination of perennial droughts and severe, snowy winters that are becoming harsher and they are becoming more frequent because of climate change. They are most associated with Mongolia but also occur in other parts of Central Asia. This year the dzud killed more than 10% of Mongolia's entire livestock holdings. Herding is central to Mongolia's economy and culture — contributing to 80% of its agricultural production and 11% of GDP. Experts say better weather forecasting and controls on overgrazing could help the country adapt.

Deadly ‘dzud’ in Mongolia kills more than 7 million head of livestock

An extreme weather phenomenon known as the dzud has killed more than 7.1 million animals in Mongolia, endangering herders' livelihoods and way of life. Dzuds are a combination of perennial droughts and severe, snowy winters that are becoming harsher and they are becoming more frequent because of climate change. They are most associated with Mongolia but also occur in other parts of Central Asia. This year the dzud killed more than 10% of Mongolia's entire livestock holdings. Herding is central to Mongolia's economy and culture — contributing to 80% of its agricultural production and 11% of GDP. Experts say better weather forecasting and controls on overgrazing could help the country adapt.

Harsh Mongolian winter leaves 4.7m animals dead; Red Cross issues appeal

Mongolian herders are experience extreme ‘dzud’ cold waves more often with little time to recover in between the UN says

In Mongolia, a Killer Winter Is Ravaging Herds and a Way of Life

Mongolia’s nomadic herders are facing a savage “dzud” winter, with more than 2 million livestock frozen to death so far. Scientists say this lethal phenomenon — extreme cold and heavy snow following summer drought — is occurring more frequently and is linked to climate change.

2 million animals dead as extreme weather hits Mongolia

The landlocked country is no stranger to severe winters from December to March.

Mongolian dzud: Extreme weather puts 90% of country at ‘high risk’

The ongoing “white and iron” dzud in Mongolia has reached a “critical” level, with over 90 per cent of the country facing high levels of risk from the unique weather phenomenon, UN agencies have reported.

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