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UB’s Sudden Summer Rains: Blessing or Economic Burden?
Author
관리자
Date
2025-06-30 09:50
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31
| UB’s Sudden Summer Rains: Blessing or Economic Burden?
June 30, 2025 / Inside Mongolia |
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| As if answering residents’ jokes that “Summer’s nowhere in sight,” the skies over Ulaanbaatar have opened up, bringing unexpected, heavy rain. But behind the record-breaking showers lie serious economic and infrastructure challenges. | |
 Precipitation Hits a New High |
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| In 2024, Mongolia recorded an average rainfall of 280.6 mm, marking it as the 6th wettest year since 1940. In the capital alone, total rainfall from May to August jumped 41.5% compared to 2021, the highest in a decade. But beyond breaking records, the unexpected rain is testing the city’s aging infrastructure. | |
 Economic Side Effects of Heavy Rain |
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| Studies show that heavy rain reduces labor productivity by 10–25%. In Ulaanbaatar, flooded roads, waterlogged shops, and severe traffic congestion have further dragged down daily business activity. | |
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 A Double-Edged Sword |
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| While increased rainfall benefits agriculture, in urban areas, it brings costly damage. Experts warn that better-designed drainage systems and proactive flood defenses could have prevented much of the economic strain. | |
| In short, the rain Mongolians wished for arrived. But with it came an expensive reminder that Ulaanbaatar’s infrastructure is ill-prepared for climate shocks. |
Rising Costs: Floodwaters have eroded ongoing roadworks, overwhelmed drainage systems, and highlighted the lack of flood prevention infrastructure. The capital city alone has allocated ₮18.5 billion for flood protection this year. But many say it’s too little, too late.