State of emergency declared as snowstorms batter Zhambyl region

Roads of republican significance are closed down,  people stuck in snow are being evacuated in Zhambyl region, Kazinform News Agency reports.

The authorities were forced to declare a state of emergency in the region due to worsening of weather conditions, including a sharp drop in air temperature, ground blizzards, and low visibility. The roads en route Taraz-Almaty of the Western Europe-Western China corridor, local roads were shut down.

Over 100 workers of the regional emergency situations department and 117 units of special equipment are deployed to help rescue people stuck on the roads. 1,279 people were evacuated as of 11:00 p.m. December 14 and taken to safer places in nearby villages. Drivers leave their cars trapped in snow on the roads. 

The regional emergency situations department launched a hotline that can be reached at 8 7262 513575, 51 41 67.

Over 200 trucks are queueing on the highway near Aisha Bibi village, Zhambyl district.