In Ust-Kamenogorsk, a local resident has taken the city’s mayor to court, accusing him of inaction in warning the public about toxic gas emissions.
According to 1tv.kz, in November of last year, the level of hydrogen chloride exceeded the norm by nine times, yet residents were not informed immediately.
Human rights activist Alexey Bozhkov claims that such incidents occur regularly in Ust-Kamenogorsk. In his words, the authorities merely warn people about adverse weather conditions instead of reporting when hazardous substances exceed safe levels in the air.
"The local executive body is obliged to notify us that there is an excess, say, of sulphur dioxide, by 5 times. That means I should put on a gas mask, take other measures, leave the city, not send my child to school, close the windows," noted the activist.
In the end, the administrative court of Ust-Kamenogorsk partially upheld the citizen's lawsuit, ruling the mayor's inaction as unlawful. The authorities have been instructed to improve the warning system for emissions.
Although the case involved former mayor Zhaksylyk Omar, it will be up to his successor, Almat Akyshov, to comply with the court order.
It should be recalled that in November of last year, residents of Ust-Kamenogorsk complained of health problems due to air pollution. People reported feeling severely unwell. Online, they shared photos and videos showing the city shrouded in smog. The situation was exacerbated by windless weather, which persisted in the city for about a week.
At that time, due to poor air quality, schoolchildren were switched to distance learning, and residents were advised to spend less time outdoors and to wear protective masks.
In connection with this, in January of this year, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov stated that the General Prosecutor's Office would inspect Kazzinc LLP for compliance with environmental legislation.