Environmental emergency declared in western Kazakhstan amid severe Caspian Sea shallowing

A local-scale natural emergency has been declared in the Kurmangazy district of Kazakhstan’s Atyrau region as a result of an alarming hydrological decline in the area.

The district administration, acting on the recommendation of the Commission for Emergency Prevention and Response, made the decision following a dramatic decrease in water levels in the Kigach and Sharan rivers, their associated canals, and the coastal zone of the Caspian Sea, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

The rapid desiccation has triggered growing concern among local fishing industry stakeholders, who have reported serious disruptions to their annual operations. Agricultural activities have also been severely affected, with insufficient water supplies hindering both crop irrigation and the maintenance of pasturelands.

In response, the Kurmangazy district has established an operational task force led by Deputy Akim Marat Khasanov. “An action plan has been approved, and calculations are currently underway to identify the technical and financial resources required to mitigate the emergency’s consequences,” stated press secretary of the governor of Atyrau region Ruslan Zhumagaziyev.

Experts warn that the receding water levels are already having a deleterious impact on fish spawning cycles and migratory patterns, particularly those of commercially valuable species. Additionally, the low water levels have begun to compromise the navigation capabilities of border patrol vessels, law enforcement boats, and fishing fleets operating in the region.

To address the crisis, dredging operations have been identified as a top priority. Planned efforts will focus on deepening key fish migration channels of the Kigach and Sharan rivers, as well as the Zharkosin canal in the marine sector of the Caspian Sea.

“These measures are expected to restore critical navigation routes, facilitate fish migration to spawning sites, and reduce the risk of flood-related damage to local settlements,” Zhumagaziyev explained.

The issue has drawn national attention. In his annual address on September 8, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev underscored the broader implications of the crisis, stating that the environmental health of the Caspian Sea is not solely a Kazakh concern but a regional one requiring coordinated international action.

By Vafa Guliyeva