AKIPRESS.COM - At least 334 people, mostly nomadic herders, went missing in eastern Mongolia due to heavy snow and blizzards, the National Emergency Management Agency said on Wednesday.

The search for the missing people in the provinces of Sukhbaatar, Khentii, Dornod and Dornogovi was organized, the NEMA said in a statement.

Heavy dust and snow storms started sweeping through large parts of the country on Tuesday, especially in eastern and southern Gobi provinces, causing poor visibility, the statement said.

It was later reported that 333 of the missing people were rescued, and one person died. The EC-145 helicopter of the 111th airborne search and rescue squadron found one last missing person on the territory of Ikhkhet district of Dornogovi province.

The volatile weather is expected to continue throughout this week, the statement said, warning the public, especially nomadic herders and drivers, to take extra precautions against possible disasters.

Heavy snow and blizzards hit large parts of the country earlier this month, killing eight herders.

Mongolia has a harsh continental climate as strong winds and dust storms are common, especially during spring.