Kazakhstan releases water from key reservoirs in preparation for spring floods

Water reservoirs in Kazakhstan’s northern, western, central and eastern regions are preparing for spring floods, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

Kazakhstan releases water from key reservoirs ahead of spring floods
Photo credit: Viktor Fedyunin/ Kazinform

According to the Ministry, all water reservoirs are operating as per the mode set and measures are taken to increase their capacities.

Water volume in the Astana Reservoir was reduced to 81%. By April 1, local authorities plan to release another 30 million cubic meters, to lower this level to 73%.

The Aktobe Reservoir which holds approximately 51 million cubic meters of water, is set to reduce this volume to 47.32 million cubic meters by April 1.

Water volume in West Kazakhstan region’s Bitik Reservoir was decreased to 28.11 million cubic meters, with 4.8 cubic meters being discharged from the reservoir every second.

The Bukhtarma Reservour is 78% full of water. Another 8% is set to be released by April 1.

The Yntymak Reservoir in Karaganda region contains 63.5 million cubic meters of water, which will be discharged by 39 % ahead of the spring flood.

The Kengir Reservoir in Ulytau region released water to 85%. By the beginning of the spring, this volume will be decreased by another 11%.

The Upper Tobolck Reservoir in Kostanay region holds 585.4 million cubic meters of water. By April 1, this volume will be reduced to 499.37 million cubic meters or to 61%.

The Ministry adds that water reservoirs in southern regions operate in an opposite mode.

“The water reservoirs in the northern, western, central and eastern regions, are operating in “water release” mode, while reservoirs in southern regions will continue operating in a “water collection” mode,” the Ministry says in a reply to Kazinform’s official request.

Earlier, Kazinform reported how the emergencies authorities of Kazakhstan and Russia are preparing for floods on transboundary rivers.

Currently reading