130 families lose homes in western Mongolia due to strong winds, dust storms

ULAN BATOR - At least 130 families lost their homes in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai due to strong winds and dust storms, the country's National Emergency Management Agency said Sunday.

Meanwhile, roofs of around 17 apartments were taken down in the dust storms that hit the province on Saturday, the agency said.

In addition, the dust storms disrupted power supply to some households, mainly in the western parts of the country, it added.

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

Climate change-related desertification is the main factor behind the increasing frequency of dust storms in Mongolia in recent years, according to the country's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Around 77 percent of Mongolia's total territory has been affected by desertification and land degradation, according to official data.