ULAN BATOR, May 25 (Xinhua) -- More than 290,000 head of livestock have been killed in the eastern Mongolian provinces of Sukhbaatar and Khentii due to recent dust and snow storms, local media reported on Thursday, citing these provinces' departments of food and agriculture.
The number of dead animals is not final and is expected to increase since many livestock are still unaccounted for, relevant authorities said.
Heavy blizzards and intense dust storms swept through Sukhbaatar and Khentii provinces late last week, causing severe damage.
A total of 127 people, primarily nomadic herders, went missing in the provinces due to the storms. Among them, 125 were found alive, while two were killed.
Mongolia has a harsh continental climate as strong winds, dust and snow storms are common. ■