How Kazakhstan and Russia prepare for floods on transboundary rivers

The Republican Crisis Center of the Ministry of Emergencies of Kazakhstan and the National Crisis Management Center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry constantly exchange information on the level of water in transboundary rivers, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The regions of Kazakhstan are actively preparing for the upcoming spring floods, through building and enhancing dams and embankments, drainage channels and aryks, as well as repairing water release structures and stormwater sewer systems.

Experts warn that in case of dam failures or a sharp increase of water level in the rivers crossing the border with the Russian Federation, these efforts can be insufficient.

The Kazakh Ministry has drafted and approved the Action Plan on Liquidation of Emergencies of the Global and Regional Scales.

The two countries’ ministries interact constantly, including in  flood prevention issues.

“Regional emergencies departments regularly interact with the crisis management centers of the Russian Emergencies Ministry including in exchange of information on the water level in transboundary rivers, hydraulic structures’ capacity, and change in weather conditions,” the Kazakh Ministry says in a reply to an official request from Kazinform.

“Based on analytical data received, rapid response measures are launched to prevent possible flooding threat,” the Ministry notes.

Read more on how Russian Emergencies Ministry prepares for flooding period in an article by a Kazinform correspondent.