Kazakhstan suspends traffic on key highways in four regions

Kazakhstan has temporarily suspended traffic on several sections of national highways across four regions due to deteriorating weather conditions, authorities said.

The restrictions affect major routes connecting the country with neighbouring China and Kyrgyzstan, including roads leading to key border checkpoints, Caliber.Az reports via Kazakh media.

In the Almaty and Zhambyl regions, freight vehicles and public transport have been barred from traveling along parts of the highway linking the Russian border through Martuk, Aktobe, Karabutak, Kyzylorda, Shymkent, Taraz, Korday and Almaty to Khorgos on the Chinese border.

Traffic has also been temporarily halted on several sections of the route, including from the village of Zhanakurylis to the border of the Zhambyl region, from the Almaty region border to the village of Korday near the checkpoint on the Kyrgyzstan border, and from the village of Kenen to the village of Kainar.

Authorities said the restrictions were introduced for safety reasons as weather conditions worsened. Traffic is expected to resume in the morning of March 11 if conditions improve.

By Sabina Mammadli