AKIPRESS.COM - The National State Emergency Commission (NSEC) of Mongolia discussed on the eve winter preparation in agriculture, energy, roads, transportation and health sectors, as well as preventing the spread of infectious disease among livestock in the western provinces, according to The UB Post.

The Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Agency of Mongolia earlier reported that November 17 to 25 will bring some of the coldest weather in a decade. According to the weather outlook for the next month, half of the country is expected to experience heavy snowfall. The Cabinet and other state body heads said that herders have moved to different camps with seven million livestock to look for better pasture conditions.

The Ministry of Energy said that Thermal Power Plant IV currently has enough coal reserves for 18 days, Thermal Power Plant III – for 12 days, Thermal Power Plant II – for 9 days, while Darkhan, Erdenet and Amgalan thermal power plants – for 27 to 40 days.

The Ministry of Roads and Transportation pointed out that road repairs are at 95 percent completion, and roads from Khovd to Bulgan districts, from Bulgan to the border, and from Khovd to Altai have had barriers built to prevent road closures due to heavy snow.

Head of the NSEC, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh instructed the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry to monitor herders' movements, to introduce herders to the advantages of livestock insurance, and to locate optimal pastures.

The Ministry of Health was instructed to collect data on the number of children, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities living far from medical centers, as well as to make sure that hospitals are prepared to respond with emergency services

Khurelsukh instructed the heads of local disaster management agencies to be prepared to dispatch vehicles and rescue services in case of disaster conditions, and instructed province governors not to ask herders for taxes or to place additional pressures on them. He also instructed the local authorities to abide by quarantine and sanitation regulations concerning livestock product transportation in the eastern and central provinces. The Deputy Prime Minister set up a task force to oversee winter preparation, evaluations, consultation and decision-making.