Kazakhstan has adopted a comprehensive plan for the development of the seismological industry for 2024-2028. The corresponding resolution was signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov.
According to the government press service, the document provides for the implementation of measures to strengthen the country's seismological safety. These include strengthening monitoring, ensuring the seismic resistance of buildings and structures, introducing new digital technologies, improving the level of personnel training, etc.
It is reported that specialists will develop 15 seismic zoning maps, which will make it possible to predict 70% of earthquake epicentres in the country's seismically hazardous regions.
The maps are also expected to serve as the basis for the certification of buildings and structures in these areas and the development of new building regulations.
"Certification will make it possible to identify the most vulnerable building objects, for which measures to reduce the seismic risk of operation will be applied as a priority. These include: seismic strengthening, protection or removal of valuable equipment, change of purpose, etc." — the statement reads.
At the same time, the installation of 285 seismic stations is planned, as well as the repair and equipping of the existing 70 stations.
Furthermore, it is expected that control over the construction and operation of buildings will be strengthened, monitoring methods improved, and specialists in the field of seismology provided with modern equipment and technical means.
"Ensuring seismic safety is one of the government's priority areas, since seismic zones in Kazakhstan occupy about 40% of the republic's total area. The territories of the cities of Almaty and Shymkent, the Almaty, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, Turkestan, and East Kazakhstan regions, as well as the Abay and Zhetysu regions, are subject to a high potential for seismic hazard," the government concluded.
Recall that at the beginning of the year, an earthquake measuring 6.7 magnitude occurred 264 km from Almaty. The intensity was then estimated at 5 points. Aftershocks were also recorded subsequently.
After the earthquake, residents had many questions for the Almaty authorities. For example, residents of the metropolis were puzzled as to why the public warning system did not activate during the emergency.
At that time, the head of the Emergency Situations Department of Almaty, Nurlan Atygayev, reported that "sirens are only activated when earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 5.5 are recorded," whereas, according to his assurances, the amplitude at that time was only 4-5 points.
In addition, residents of the southern capital complained that earthquake notifications via SMS did not reach them on time. The Emergency Situations Department told them that mobile network operators could not process the information fast enough, and accordingly, the operational information arrived with a delay.
At a meeting on seismic safety issues, President Tokayev criticised the work of the authorised agencies and instructed the Anti-Corruption Service together with the General Prosecutor's Office to investigate how the budget funds allocated for the warning system had actually been spent. It should be noted that later the Minister of Emergency Situations, Syrym Sharipkhanov, was removed from his post.