Kazakhstan prepares for spring floods

Preparations for spring floods in Kazakhstan are in full swing. According to the country’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, several regions at risk of spring flooding reported that dam construction is 40% complete.

«The ministry is implementing 56 anti-flood projects in 84 settlements. As part of this effort, a network of dams with a total length of 310 kilometers is under construction. As of today, 40% of the work has been completed,» the agency stated.

This work is being carried out in the Akmola, Aktobe, Pavlodar, Kostanay, West Kazakhstan and North Kazakhstan regions, the statement added.

«Last year, we conducted an examination of 1,502 hydrotechnical facilities across the country. Following this inspection, the owners of these facilities were advised to address all identified shortcomings to ensure there are empty reservoirs capable of accommodating the inflow of spring floods. The release of excess water from reservoirs is ongoing in the northern, western, eastern and central parts of the country,» reported Yerbolat Ibraikhanov, vice minister of water resources and irrigation of Kazakhstan.

In March 2024, several regions of Kazakhstan experienced massive floods that caused extensive damage and loss of life. At the time, a state of emergency was declared in many of these regions. President Tokayev described the floods as «the most powerful disaster over the past 80 years,» promissing financial compensation for all flood survivors.