ULAN BATOR, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh has requested to do everything possible to help flood-affected people in the western Bayan-Ulgii Province, and to enhance disaster prevention capabilities, the Mongolian government press office said in a statement Thursday.

Khurelsukh made the instructions at a meeting of the State Emergency Commission following massive flooding caused by heavy rain in some areas of the country since the beginning of July.

"We need to focus on disaster prevention in order to protect people's lives and property. It is important to warn citizens to take necessary precautions against expected disasters by closely cooperating with media organizations in order to reduce disaster risks," he said.

More than 2,500 people in the worst-hit Bayan-Ulgii Province were affected by the floods. The province suffered direct economic losses worth 10 billion Mongolian tugriks (4.063 million U.S. dollars).

The meteorological institute warned that the water levels in major rivers in the western, northern and central parts of the country had risen to dangerous levels. More heavy rain is expected in these areas.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, floods have claimed 48 lives, including nine children, since the beginning of summer.