The National Agency Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring has begun installing advanced automated devices to measure water levels and flow velocity across Mongolia’s major rivers, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s flood monitoring and early warning systems.

The initiative, launched in the autumn of last year, involves the phased installation of hydrological monitoring equipment at key river observation stations nationwide. These devices enable continuous, real-time tracking of river conditions, allowing experts to assess flood risks more accurately and respond more swiftly to potential hazards.

Most recently, the system has been installed along the Kherlen River, expanding the network of monitored waterways. Funded by the state budget, the Austrian-manufactured RQ-30 model devices are set to be deployed at 17 locations. These include major rivers such as the Delgermurun, Ider, Kharaa, Kherlen, Khovd, Onon, Orkhon, Selbe, Selenge, Terelj, Tui, Tuul, and Uur, among others.

Once fully operational, the system will collect and transmit data on water levels, flow rates, water reserves, and flood risks every five minutes to a centralized network. This high-frequency data stream is expected to significantly enhance the accuracy of hydrological analysis, forecasting, and long-term water resource planning, particularly in regions vulnerable to seasonal flooding and climate variability.

Designed to withstand Mongolia’s extreme continental climate, the RQ-30 devices operate reliably in temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees to 60 degrees. In parallel with the rollout, hydrology specialists from the meteorological and environmental monitoring sector have completed specialized training in the operation and software integration of the system, ensuring its efficient and sustainable use.

Officials emphasize that the introduction of these automated monitoring tools will play a crucial role in disaster risk reduction, helping to protect communities from flood-related hazards while improving the country’s overall environmental monitoring capacity. In the longer term, the data generated will also support scientific research, inform policy decisions, and contribute to more resilient infrastructure planning in the face of increasing climate uncertainty.