A dzud is a severe cold-season disaster characterized by extreme weather conditions, including temperatures plummeting to -30°C or lower, accompanied by strong winds, heavy snowfall, and icy conditions. The 2023-2024 winter in Mongolia has been particularly catastrophic, recording the heaviest snowfall in 49 years, with 90% of the country's territory blanketed by thick snow layers at its peak. Dzuds lead to reduced pasture availability and high livestock mortality, significantly impacting nomadic herders' livelihoods. 

Thus the Dzud Risk Map is a critical tool developed by the Information and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology, and Environment (IRIMHE) to mitigate the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of dzuds in Mongolia. The tool combines satellite remote sensing data with on-ground observations to evaluate dzud risk using 11 key parameters, including snow depth, snow density, air temperature, and summer conditions. Developed with technical support from the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIRCAS) and ESCAP, the system overlays weighted data layers in GIS, enabling efficient risk mapping. Operational since 2018, the system aids the State Emergency Commission (SEC) in identifying high-risk soums, ensuring targeted support to vulnerable herder households and facilitating proactive disaster management.