Coal transport suspended from Tavan Tolgoi due to flooding
Coal transport from Tavan Tolgoi to Gashuunsukhait border crossing has been suspended due to flooding and the road damage that was caused by the flooding.
On July 30, heavy downpour in Khanbogd soum of Umnugovi Province caused flooding on the Tavan Tolgoi to Gashuunsukhait road. The heavy flooding has caused mudslides in some areas, which has caused significant damage.
CEO of Gashuunsukhait Road company said that heavy flooding began in the morning of July 30, causing four flooding incidents in Khanbogd soum. This has caused authorities to close down the road and suspend coal transport.
Additional dirt roads are being established at the Tavan Tolgoi to Gashuunsukhait road. The additional roads will be built for 36 hours and be operational by August 1. Meanwhile, workers will be creating a makeshift water drainage system to prevent any additional water damage.
Ts. Bold said that 200 outgoing and 200 incoming trucks have been stopped at the side of the road due to the flooding. On July 14, heavy downpour damaged the road. Repairs on the road had not yet been completed before the flooding on July 30, further damaged the road.
The 239 kilometer road is used by 8,700 trucks of 104 companies to transport mainly coal. On average, 400 to 1,100 trucks carrying 85 to 95 tons of coal pass into China on a daily basis.