A sharp warming after severe frosts has led to flooding in the streets of Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Meltwater and rainwater have flooded roads and pavements, turning them into ponds. Despite official reports of large-scale anti-flood work, residents are posting numerous photos and videos of the flooded streets on social media and questioning why the problem could not have been foreseen in advance.
HOW THE SITUATION DEVELOPED IN SEMEY
In the Abai Region, preparations for the flood season had reportedly been underway. In particular, the authorities of Semey claimed to be working around the clock to remove snow and pump away meltwater, reports Hronika.kz.
According to official data:
- a contract has been signed with a contractor for the deployment of 70 units of equipment;
- 40 units are used during the day shift and 30 at night;
- since 6 March, approximately 10,000 cubic metres of water have been pumped out;
- 250,000 cubic metres of snow have been removed from the city area.
However, city residents continue to post videos and photos of flooded streets on social media. According to the locals, pavements and roads have turned into ponds in some places.
The situation has been compounded by several days of rain.
THE MAYOR OF SEMEY VISITED THE FLOODED AREA
The Mayor of Semey, Adlet Kozhanbayev, drove out at night to one of the flooded streets to oversee the pumping of water.
According to him, on Zarechnaya Street, the threat of flooding to around 20 residential buildings was eliminated.
"At the moment, on Zarechnaya Street, the threat of flooding to around 20 residential buildings has been eliminated. Sewer trucks and motor pumps were used, together with forces from the Emergency Situations Department. At present, there is no threat of flooding to residential buildings," he said.
Following the social media posts, residents questioned officials about the readiness of public utilities for the spring snowmelt.
Some citizens note that the problem could have been prevented with timely snow removal during the winter. They are also asking where the equipment, whose purchase was previously reported, is located.
WHAT MEASURES ARE PUBLIC UTILITIES CURRENTLY TAKING
The administration of Semey reported that work to pump away meltwater and rainwater continues around the clock.
According to the city administration:
- 65 units of equipment are deployed;
- 20 motor pumps are in use;
- approximately 250 employees are involved in the work.
Specialists are pumping water from streets and courtyards, as well as clearing areas where it has accumulated.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN UST-KAMENOGORSK
In Ust-Kamenogorsk, there are no large-scale floods similar to the situation in Semey, according to the city administration.
The administration reported that public utilities are:
- conducting city patrols;
- checking irrigation ditches, channels and drainage structures;
- removing snow and pumping away meltwater.
However, precise data on the amount of snow removed, the equipment used, or the volume of water pumped out were not provided in the official statement.
The administration stressed that the situation is under control and that work to address the consequences of the snowmelt is ongoing.
It is also noted that the rainy season is still ahead, so it is too early to draw final conclusions about the fight against meltwater.
As a reminder, on 10 March, it was reported that in the Abai Region, a car with three men got stuck in a flow of meltwater on a field road near Aksuat. The car ended up in a ravine, and the people could not get out on their own. Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MES RK) travelled about 40 km, evacuated the people and took them to the nearest settlement. No one was injured as a result of the incident.