Kazakhstan evacuates over 11,000 people due to floods

The rescue teams of the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations have evacuated more than 11,000 people from the flooded areas.

“A total of 11,306 people were evacuated from the flooded areas. There are 5,456 people in temporary accommodation centres,” TASS reports citing the Kazakh government following a meeting of the headquarters for coordinating flood control measures and eliminating the consequences of the flood period, chaired by Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

Some 40 washed-out roads, a bridge and 39 road surfaces are being restored.

“The necessary food and medicines are being supplied thanks to the representatives of the local administrations. Assistance to the population is rendered around the clock. The aircraft are also used. More than 7,000 people are involved, over 2,000 pieces of equipment, including water pumping equipment, ships and aircraft, are used,” the message says.

The filling of reservoirs and rivers is being monitored. Presently, back-to-back operations are observed in the Aktobe, Sazdi, Ashchisuy, Zhartas reservoirs. Water is discharged. The water has been accumulated in Kargaly reservoir.

Funds will be allocated from the reserves of the government and local executive bodies for restoration and construction of houses destroyed due to floods.

“It is necessary to begin assessing the damage caused by the disaster and immediately begin rendering financial assistance to people, as well as develop comprehensive measures to prevent such large-scale floods in the future. Each region must have a clear action plan,” Bektenov said.

According to the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, local emergency situations have been declared in several areas of Aktobe, Kostanay, West Kazakhstan, Abay, Ulytau and Akmola regions due to large-scale floods.