Preventive measures: Kazakhstan is preparing for spring floods
A large-scale campaign has been launched throughout Kazakhstan to prevent the negative impact of spring floods. The units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with local authorities, are implementing a set of preventive and engineering measures aimed at minimizing the risks of flooding of settlements and infrastructure facilities. These activities are carried out within the framework of republican and regional programs, which indicates a systematic approach to solving the problem, the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations reports.
Among the key areas of work is the construction and strengthening of protective dams and ramparts designed to contain the onslaught of water. Also, active work is underway to modernize and create new drainage systems that ensure efficient drainage of meltwater and rainwater. An important aspect is the replacement and installation of culverts under roads, as well as the arrangement of canals and ditches, which helps to regulate water flows and prevent congestion.
Dredging and strengthening of river banks are being carried out in areas at particular risk. This allows to increase the capacity of waterways and reduce the likelihood of erosion of the coastline. Cleaning of riverbeds from debris and sediments is also an important component of the complex of flood control measures.
Inspections of flood preparedness are being carried out in a number of regions of the country. Working groups, which include representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, local executive bodies and relevant departments, assess the condition of hydraulic structures, the availability and serviceability of special equipment, as well as stocks of necessary materials – fuel and lubricants, inert and bags. Special attention is paid to the organization of temporary accommodation points for the evacuation of the population in case of an emergency.
In Akmola region, inspectors visited areas under threat of floods, where they got acquainted with the progress of work on the construction of bypass canals, the construction of dams and the cleaning of riverbeds. A six-kilometer dam is being built in the Arshaly district. Inspection of potentially hazardous sites was carried out in Aktobe region, and the condition of dams was reviewed, shore protection works are being carried out along the Ilek River, and measures are being taken to divert meltwater in horticultural collectives that have fallen into the risk zone. Akim of the East Kazakhstan region and the head of the emergency Department got acquainted with flood control works, where, among other things, the points of blasting operations on the rivers were identified.
Construction of protective dams and installation of additional culverts is underway in the West Kazakhstan region. In Karaganda region, the level of readiness of settlements at risk of flooding was checked, and in Kyzylorda region, an inspection of the river and hydraulic structures was carried out.
The management of the emergency department, together with the acting akim of Pavlodar region, inspected the settlements of the region, checking the state of the equipment and the presence of inert materials. Flood prevention measures have been strengthened in the Ulytau region: seven locks at the Kengir reservoir are fully ready, riverbeds and banks have been cleared, strategic facilities are under control. A joint inspection of possible flooding sites was carried out in Shymkent.
