Akimats and regional emergency departments in regions with the highest risk of flooding shared information with journalists on how prepared they are for the unfavourable development of flood processes.
As reported by inbusiness.kz citing regional authorities, in the Aktobe, Almaty, Karaganda, Akmola regions, as well as in WKO, EKO, NKO and in the Abay region, they claim to be almost one hundred percent ready for floods, but do not rule out that certain settlements may fall within possible flood zones.
WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION
According to preliminary forecasts from Kazhydromet, West Kazakhstan Region is among the regions with an elevated flood risk.
It is reported that the snow water equivalent on the Chingirlau, Chizha-2, Derkul, Chagan, Olenty and Shiderty rivers is below the long-term average by 35-78%, and the depth of soil freezing is below last year's figures by 56-75 cm.
Autumn soil moisture is above the long-term average by 71-133%, and the thickness of the ice crust on the soil surface is 5-45 mm. It is noted that in most of the listed rivers, with the exception of the Chagan River, the expected volume of spring flood runoff is above normal.
In 2023, 3 km of the bank of the Zhayik River were reinforced using the republican budget, and over 41 km of protective dams were reinforced using the local budget. Additionally, 19 temporary hydrological stations were installed. On the roads, 52 culverts and 37 structures were installed.
To prevent ice jams on rivers, ice is being broken up. On the roads, culverts are being cleared. Weekly flood prevention clean-up days are held across the region.
AKTOBE REGION
In the territory of the Aktobe Region, in the event of an unfavourable development of flood processes, settlements in the Ayteke Bi, Martuk, Uil, Kobda, Kargaly and Temir districts could fall into possible flood zones.
According to the source, to avoid negative consequences during the spring flood period, the authorised bodies have already carried out a number of works.
EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION
Journalists report that since 1 February, a heightened state of readiness for floods has been declared in the East Kazakhstan Region. In 2 cities and 9 districts, 71 potentially flood-prone settlements have been identified. In 15 settlements, the threat of flooding has already been lifted, and in 49 it has been minimised.
According to preliminary forecasts, the districts of Altai, Samar, Glubokoye, Katon-Karagai, Kurchum (Markakol) are in the heightened attention zone. On the Bukhtarma, Kurchum and Uba rivers, preventive blasting works and ice loosening are necessary.
ALMATY REGION
The Department for Emergency Situations of the Almaty Region assured that overall the hydrometeorological situation in the region is currently stable. It is noted that there is no shortage of specialised equipment or labour.
Flood threats are possible in areas of the Karasay, Zhambyl and Talgar districts. It is reported that over 2022-2023, the number of settlements and flood-prone areas susceptible to flooding decreased from 34 to 20 (by 58.8%).
In 2023, in the city of Yesik, the villages of Karazhota and Turgen, Besagash, Kaynazar, Shyrganak, Yereuil, Shamalgan, Kyrgauldy, Kolashchy, Ushterek and Kaynar, 88 culverts were replaced and cleaned on the roads. 435 km of the ditch-and-canal system were cleaned and reconstructed. Dredging was carried out on more than 13 km of the riverbeds of the Baimenei, Aksai, Kyrgauldy and Sharyn rivers.
KARAGANDA REGION
In the Karaganda Region, projects for the restoration and cleaning of pipelines on the Sherubai-Nura (16.6 km), Solonka (7.2 km), Akbastau (3.5 km), and Nura (19 km) rivers have been implemented (photo 3).
It is reported that 7 measures have been carried out to strengthen protective embankments in settlements of the Osakarov, Bukhar-Zhyrau and Karkaralinsk districts. 3 sections of the Zharly River bed have been cleaned and deepened.
According to the hydrological forecast, the snow water equivalent on the Nura, Sherubai-Nura and Tokyrau rivers is within the long-term average values, but below last year's figures by 25% to 60%. Ice crusts with a thickness of 0.2-4.5 cm are observed on the soil surface.
ABAY REGION
According to the data of the RSE Kazhydromet, the Abay region is among the regions with an elevated flood risk.
It is reported that the probability of flooding in the lowland part of the region is not ruled out. The potential flood zone includes 38 settlements (52 areas), where 2,775 residential buildings with a population of 10,053 people are located.
As noted by inbusiness.kz citing information from the Irtysh Basin Inspection, in the event of warming and heavy rains in the basins of the Irtysh rivers, high floods are possible.
NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION
? In the territory of the North Kazakhstan Region, the main flood threats are the spring thaws on the Yesil, Chaglinka, Selety and Kamysakty rivers. 87 flood-prone settlements are being monitored. It is reported that constant monitoring of the region's reservoirs is being carried out.
AKMOLA REGION
? Previously, the akimat of the Akmola Region informed journalists that flood prevention measures had been carried out in 62 settlements (15 districts, 3 cities), including in the area near the capital.
The regions with a high risk of flooding include the Tselinograd, Arshaly, Atbasar, Sandyktau and Astrakhan districts. It was reported that projects for the major repair of 7 hydraulic structures have been developed.
Works to clean riverbeds, strengthen earth embankments and construct protective mounds have been carried out along the Zhabai, Nura, Yesil and Chaglinka rivers. As part of the water security of Astana, dredging of 17 km of the Yesil River will be completed.
And we remind you that the Ministry of Emergency Situations receives flood data from JSC 'NC 'Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary', which, using the pretext of having its own satellites, resells foreign space images and dubious data analysis to government agencies under single-source contracts.
Perhaps someday a competitive environment for providing Earth remote sensing data will be created, which would increase the reliability of information and reduce the costs of space monitoring. For now, we rely on the readiness of the regions and wish them to get through the spring flood season without casualties or damage.