Senior engineer of the Department of Emergency Situations of the East Kazakhstan region, Ayaulym Kekeyeva, recently shared during a briefing that the region is bracing for a second wave of floods expected in mid-April. Kekeyeva reported that the initial wave of floods in the region is subsiding, with the current snow cover at 53%, primarily concentrated in mountainous regions.
Considering factors such as snow depth, moisture levels in mountainous areas, rising nighttime temperatures, and anticipated precipitation in mid-April, authorities are preparing for a subsequent flood wave and an increase in water levels in mountain rivers. Ongoing aerial assessments are being carried out to monitor the flood situation, with all hydraulic structures reported to be functioning normally.
Kekeyeva emphasized that the snow water equivalent in various areas exceeds normal levels by one and a half to two times, posing a significant flood risk. Authorities are actively engaged in clearing canal networks, monitoring snowmelt and river obstructions, and inspecting flood-prone zones. An operational command center is operational 24/7 to oversee flood response efforts, ensuring preparedness and effective management of the flood situation in the region.
In order to safeguard communities from flooding and regulate floodwaters, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has launched a project to construct 20 reservoirs across 11 regions. These initiatives are aimed at bolstering flood protection measures and minimizing the potential impact of floods on communities throughout the region.
