STATE EMERGENCY COMMISSION MEETS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The National State Emergency Commission met on Thursday to address timely issues in agriculture, energy, education, health spheres and wintering preparations in the capital city. Following reports by the corresponding authorities, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the commission U.Khurelsukh issued instructions. P.Sergelen, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry reported on the Ministry’s responsive measures on drought situation across the country, wintering and harvest preparations. On the national level, some 150 soums suffer from drought whereas about 50 soums are in a mild drought. “Following the continued rain in most parts of the country since July 20, we expect hay growth by August 10”, he said. This year, 517.4 thousand ha land was sowed - 391.6 thousand ha for grain including 366.9 thousand ha for wheat, 14.6 thousand ha for potatoes, 7.2 thousand ha for vegetables, 75.9 thousand ha for oil plants, 25.7 thousand ha for fodder plants, 1.9 thousand ha for medicinal herbs and 287.1 ha for fruits. Minister P.Sergelen expressed concerns over the probability of 20 percent loss of vegetable harvest this year. The Deputy Prime Minister gave instructions including to draft a preliminary harvest report within August 18; monitor the progress of generation of aimag and soum reserves of hay and fodder; ensure full winter preparations at Baganuur and Shivee-Ovoo coal mines and store coal sufficient for at least 20 days at thermal power plants; conduct a survey on households in remote areas, including pregnant women, elders, disabled people and minors, and ensure full readiness of medical facilities, personnel and equipment in local administrative units; raise public awareness on cloud seeding; and reward emergency workers who served during natural hazards, wildfires and other events in the first quarter of 2017, and report it to the commission. Kh.Aminaa