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Mongolia Warns of Blizzards and Deep Freeze as Border Agents Disrupt Gold-Smuggling Plot

Detentions at Zamyn-Uud follow a prime ministerial push for tech-driven tax reforms to shore up revenues.

Overview

  • Meteorologists reported snow and blizzard conditions across northern Dornod and parts of central and eastern aimags over Nov. 15–16, with visibility drops and icy roads.
  • Winds were forecast from the west at 6–11 m/s, with gusts reaching 18–20 m/s in Gobi, steppe and open areas during the storm period.
  • Temperatures plunged widely, including lows near −17 to −22°C in high mountain regions and around −11 to −13°C in Ulaanbaatar, with officials warning of heightened travel and livestock risks.
  • The latest outlook shows little to no snow for most areas on Nov. 17 and a gradual easing of daytime cold from Nov. 18, though light snow may persist locally in Khalkh Gol and the Khentii highlands.
  • Intelligence officers said they blocked an organized attempt on Nov. 14 to smuggle a large quantity of gold through the Zamyn-Uud border, detaining Mongolian and foreign suspects as investigations continue, while the prime minister ordered technology-led tax administration reforms to address revenue shortfalls.