In the village of Birlik, Kazaly District, Kyzylorda Region, large-scale work to eliminate the threat of flooding to residential areas, caused by a sharp rise in water levels in the local irrigation canal system, has been completed. The situation was resolved on the night of 24 April 2026.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the threat of flooding was caused by heavy rain, which caused water to overflow the banks of a canal in the village of Birlik. As a result, several houses came under threat of flooding.
To contain the spill, specialists laid 1,500 sandbags and carried out work to deepen the bed of the canal network.
WHAT MEASURES WERE TAKEN
To divert the water and prevent its further spread, an outlet was built into the 'Zhig'erlim' discharge channel, the 'Shukyroi' reservoir, as well as onto hayfields.
Forces and resources from the Department of Emergency Situations (DES) of the Kyzylorda Region and local executive bodies were involved in the response: approximately 320 personnel, 13 motor pumps and 17 units of equipment.
The threat of flooding to nearby settlements has been eliminated.
CONTEXT
The spring period is traditionally the flood season for a number of regions in Kazakhstan. Increased precipitation and active snowmelt often lead to the overflow of canal systems and small bodies of water, creating risks for rural settlements.
On 6 April 2026, in the village of Zhanasaz, Baizak District, Zhambyl Region, flooding of streets and yards occurred following heavy rainfall. At the time, assessments of the water level by residents and authorities differed.
In the Mangystau Region, after strong winds and torrential rain on 14–15 April, a mass die-off of horses was recorded. On the stretch between the village of Sayotes and the 7th crossing, animals strayed from their route and ended up in waterlogged terrain. According to preliminary data, more than 100 head of livestock died in the region.
Against the backdrop of the flood situation in the regions, Pavlov Analytical Centre in partnership with Geobox and Giscarta has introduced a tool for monitoring water threats. This concerns an interactive map for forecasting floods for spring 2026, which allows you to visualise risk zones using a colour scale.
A video overview of the map on YouTube is also available, which details the forecasting principles and the possibilities for using the tool.