(CNN) -- At least 24 people have been killed and hundreds rendered homeless in the worst floods to hit land-locked Mongolia in 40 years, emergency officials said Tuesday. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it was working with local authorities to distribute emergency goods to the flood-ravaged victims. Workers fear that without adequate food and shelter, the situation would worsen when winter arrives in three months, said Francis Markus of the Red Cross. The floods struck last week in the Asian nation's capital, Ulaanbaatar, and a province in the west. It was the worst to hit the country since 1966, Markus said. See images of flood victims » . The government issued televised broadcasts ahead of the rainstorms but many children and elderly could not be evacuated in time, Markus said.
Red Cross working with local authorities to distribute aid to flood victims . Relief workers say winter poses major threat unless food and shelter in place . Government warned of floods but many people could not be evacuated in time .