The hydrological situation on mountain rivers in Almaty remains under control, despite forecast heavy rain at the end of July. Specialists continue round-the-clock monitoring of rivers, moraine lakes and hydraulic structures, and residents and tourists are advised to temporarily avoid trips into the mountains.
WHY PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES REMAIN IN PLACE
According to Informburo.kz, in Almaty and the adjacent mountainous areas, a potential threat of mudflow formation persists due to unstable weather and expected heavy precipitation. A rise in river water levels, slope runoff, local flooding and inundation of certain areas are possible.
Specialists from the state institution "Kazselezashchita" and the Department for Emergency Situations (DES) of Almaty city recommend that residents and visitors refrain from visiting the mountains until weather conditions stabilise.
HOW THE SITUATION IS CURRENTLY BEING MONITORED
According to the Deputy Head of the Almaty DES, Daniyar Zhusupov, control over the mudflow-dangerous period is carried out constantly. Monitoring is conducted via 23 hydrological posts, including 13 posts of the RSE "Kazhydromet" and 10 posts of "Kazselezashchita", as well as 10 seasonal observation posts in potentially dangerous areas.
In addition, employees of the Republican Rescue Service "Barys" patrol mountain rivers daily, conduct preventive conversations with holidaymakers and provide assistance if necessary. On the lakes Sayran and Aeroportovskoye, round-the-clock rescue duty has been organised.
WHICH AREAS ARE UNDER SPECIAL OBSERVATION
The highest mudflow danger persists in the mountainous and foothill areas of the Medeu, Bostandyk and Nauryzbay districts, located in the basins of the Kishi Almaty, Ulken Almaty, Aksay and Kargaly rivers.
In early July, specialists conducted an aerial visual survey of the central part of the Ile Alatau range. Its results established that the moraine lakes are in a phase of natural seasonal filling, no intensive glacier melting is observed, and specialists did not identify signs of a sharp deterioration in the hydrological situation.
WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO PREVENT FLOODING
In Almaty, preventive work to reduce the risk of mudflow processes continues. This includes regulating the water level in the most dangerous moraine lakes using siphon installations and pumping equipment, as well as constant observation of the hydrological situation.
According to the Almaty DES, the city's ditch network with a total length of 1,525 km is cleaned daily. For this purpose, 52 operational mobile teams are deployed, equipped with motor pumps and necessary equipment. Work is also underway to clean riverbeds, storm drains, rainwater collectors, strengthen banks and clear drainage structures.
WHAT THE SPECIALISTS SAY
The acting head of "Kazselezashchita", Alisher Toktasyn, reported that the enhanced observation regime, introduced in early July, was lifted on 10 July after the situation stabilised.
According to him, the hydrological situation on Almaty's rivers remains stable, and control over the condition of rivers, moraine lakes and hydraulic structures continues in normal operation. If weather conditions worsen, the monitoring system can be promptly switched to an enhanced mode.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
On 1 July, residents of part of the Nauryzbay district of Almaty were temporarily evacuated due to the threat of mudflows. People were temporarily accommodated in reception centres set up on the basis of schools in the district. The reason was the forecast of heavy rainfall in the mountainous area and the risk of mudflow formation.
Later, residents and guests of the Almaty, Zhambyl and Zhetysu regions were advised to observe precautionary measures in connection with the threat of mudflow phenomena and rising river water levels.
