Authorities are still unsure of the toll that the drought has exacted on human life.
But surveys show that more than 2 million head of cattle have died nationwide. This spells imminent disaster for rural Mongolian herders, who depend completely on their livestock for food, fuel and cash for household goods. Drought in the summer months killed grasses that livestock usually eat to fatten up for the winter months, when pastureland is covered with snow for long periods. Snowstorms began earlier than normal and left unusually deep accumulations. This prevented cattle from accessing what little grass was left.