Situation with flooding in Kazakhstan

The situation with flood remains tense in most places of Kazakhstan. Several regions of the country are struggling with melt waters. For example, five more rural houses were flooded in Aktobe, one of which was destroyed. Roads were washed out in four districts. Nine villages remain disconnected. West Kazakhstan region is constantly monitoring the Oral, Ulken and Kishi Ozen transboundary rivers. Flooding barriers from sandbags are made in the Shagan River to protect suburban areas in case of rising water. The situation is also difficult in Akmola region. A flood peak began in seven districts here over the rise in air temperature and the sharp snow melting. Rescuers work day and night.

“Melt water is currently being drained inside villages in Kosshy and Stepnogorsk towns, as well as Tselinograd, Arshaly, Astrakhan, Shortandy and Zharkaiyn districts. More than 200,000 cubic meters of melt water was pumped out there in total. Heavy snow melting resulted in three melt water overflow through the highway of regional significance. All of them are on the territory of Yereimentau district,” said Manarbek Shapagatov, Deputy Director of the Emergency Situations Department, Akmola region.

The flood peak is also expected in Karagandy. Water inflow came here, flooding the streets and the basements of several high-rise buildings. The threat of flood remains in 25 areas in the capital. Most of them are in Yessil and Almaty districts. Employees of the civil protection authorities, the police department and the National Guard are ready in case of floods. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, over 100 people were evacuated across the country in the last day. Almost all of them were located in temporary evacuation points. No deaths or injuries were reported.

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova