Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) has begun releasing water from key reservoirs across the country to prepare for the influx of meltwater expected during the spring thaw. This proactive measure follows the devastating floods of spring 2024, the worst in 80 years, which affected multiple regions and displaced over 120,000 people.
By pre-emptively releasing water from reservoirs, Kazakhstan hopes to mitigate the impact of the spring flood season. This preparation underscores the importance of coordinated water management to protect communities, agriculture, and infrastructure from the devastating effects of extreme weather events.
In early January, the MWRI held a meeting to discuss water management strategies for the upcoming flood season. Authorities have initiated controlled releases in reservoirs located in the west, east, north, and center of the country – regions hit hardest by last year’s flooding. These releases are designed to reduce water levels in preparation for spring meltwater.
- Astana Reservoir: Between December 20, 2024, and January 3, 2025, 5.06 million cubic meters of water were released, lowering the reservoir to 83% of its total capacity. By April 1, its volume will be further reduced to 73% (300 million cubic meters).
- Aktobe Reservoir: Currently holding 51 million cubic meters, this will be lowered to 47.32 million cubic meters by April.
- Bitik Reservoir (West Kazakhstan): Discharging at 8.3 cubic meters per second, its volume has been reduced to 34.45 million cubic meters.
- Bukhtarma Reservoir (East Kazakhstan): Now at 79% capacity, this will be reduced by another 8% by spring.
- Yntymak Reservoir (Karaganda Region): Of its current 69 million cubic meters, only 39 million cubic meters will remain to accommodate floodwaters.
- Kengir Reservoir (Ulytau Region): Reduced to 86% of capacity, it will be lowered by an additional 11%.
- Upper Tobolsk Reservoir (Kostanay Region): Holding 585.4 million cubic meters, its volume will be reduced to 61% (499.37 million cubic meters) by April.
MWRI head Nurzhan Nurzhigitov emphasized the importance of strategic water management throughout the year. “In spring, it is critical not only to collect floodwaters in reservoirs but also to distribute them to lake systems, natural pastures, and meadows,” he said. Nurzhigitov urged regional authorities to plan for efficient water allocation, noting that during the previous irrigation period, farms received approximately 11 billion cubic meters of water. Efforts to restore and preserve both large and small reservoirs were also highlighted.
Last spring’s historic floods inundated regions in northern, western, eastern, and central Kazakhstan for nearly two months. Over 120,000 people were evacuated, with rescue efforts involving multiple government agencies, including the Ministries of Emergency Situations, Defense, and Internal Affairs, as well as local authorities and volunteers.
Despite extensive state aid, many citizens raised concerns about the allocation of resources, as previously reported by The Times of Central Asia.
