7 million cattle killed by extreme weather phenomenon

An extreme weather phenomenon – blamed on climate change – has killed more than 7.1 million animals in Mongolia this year.

Known as dzud, the phenomenon is a deadly combination of drought with harsh snowy winters and poses a major threat to communities across the country.

Dzud, which means calamity, occurs when temperature changes cause cycles of thaw and freeze that create ice barriers over food lands and result in animals dying of starvation.

This year’s Dzud is the worst in almost half a century.

A dzud is expected once a decade, but this year’s dzud was the sixth in the last decade. At its peak this year, 90% of Mongolia was covered in a thick layer of snow.

Many livestock deaths occur among malnourished female animals and their young during the spring.

2.1 million cattle, sheep and goats had died by February, rising to 7.1 million in May, according to state media.

The total death toll could rise to 14.9 million animals, Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan said, according to state media.

Experts talking to Newsweek attributed the increasing severity of dzuds in Mongolia to climate change.

“Dzuds are becoming more common and severe due to the interaction of climate change and environmental degradation,” said Olga Dzhumaeva, head of the East Asia delegation at the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). “The phenomenon, unique to Mongolia, involves harsh winter conditions exacerbated by summer droughts. This combination creates a vicious cycle where insufficient pasture grazing in the summer leads to malnourished cattle, which are then unable to withstand severe winter conditions.

“Climate change has significantly disrupted Mongolia’s seasonal cycle, leading to more frequent and intense summer droughts followed by extreme winters.”

Mongolia’s economy is heavily dependent on livestock, which contributes 80% of its agricultural output and 11% of GDP.

In addition to affecting the animal population, many people in the country are struggling to survive due to dzud as well. The Khurelbaatar family told FNKKJK how their herd was reduced from over 400 animals to less than 100 during the winter.

“Hungry and exhausted pregnant ewes are especially vulnerable,” said Khurelbaatar B, a shepherd.

The family of five has struggled to afford food and basic items after losing their livestock. Their well was also blocked by snow meaning the family had to melt the snow to provide water for themselves and the remaining livestock.

The Mongolian Red Cross Society has provided cash assistance to herders affected by dzud, such as the Khurelbaatar family, with funding from the USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance.

The Mongolian Red Cross team also gave the Khurelbaatar family a tarpaulin to serve as a roof for the animal shelter.

There have been challenges raising funds from an international aid budget stretched by the crises in Gaza and Ukraine. FNKK aimed to raise $6 million to support those affected by Dzud in Mongolia, however it has not reached even 20% of its target.

The World Health Organization has been active in the country and has sent 4 tons of medicine and medical supplies to 21 affected provinces, with additional supplies being sourced.

The crisis is far from over with the end of winter: warmer temperatures could trigger wildfires or dust storms, while runoff from melting snow could cause flash floods.

Pregnant animals are at risk of losing their offspring after being weakened during the winter, said Matilda Dimovska, the resident representative of the United Nations Development Program in Mongolia.

“It’s really devastating to see (the baby animals) cry for food,” she said.