In the annals of Kazakhstan's history, a series of 12 floods have left indelible marks on the landscape and its people including the most recent one in 2024. These cataclysmic events, often triggered by a combination of heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and infrastructural vulnerabilities, have wrought havoc across various regions, leaving behind tales of loss, destruction, and resilience.
Floods, a natural phenomenon, surge when water levels in rivers, lakes, or streams surge abruptly due to climatic factors like heavy rain, snowmelt, or hydraulic failures. Kazakhstan's vast terrain, characterized by diverse topographies ranging from mountains to plains, is particularly susceptible to flooding, with certain regions experiencing recurrent inundations.
1921 Mudflow Disaster: A Harbinger of Tragedy
Among the most catastrophic floods in Kazakhstan's saga is the mudflow disaster of 1921. A deluge of mud and water engulfed Almaty, triggered by torrential rains and melting snow. The torrents, akin to nature's fury, swept through the Trans-Ili Alatau, leaving destruction in its wake.
Estimates suggest that the combined volume of debris flow from the Malaya and Bolshaya Almatinka rivers ranged between 7.0 and 10 mn cubic meters.
The toll was staggering—over 500 lives lost, 80 injured, and 3000 people affected, representing 7% of the city's total population. Homes were demolished, and landscapes scarred irreparably.
1963: The Wrath of Lake Zharsai
The 1963 deluge, fueled by heavy rainfall and snowmelt, wreaked chaos in southern and eastern Kazakhstan. Lake Zharsay's breach unleashed a torrential tide, inundating nearby areas and claiming lives.
The mudflow originated from the melting waters of the Zharsay glacier, which overflowed into Lake Zharsay, causing a breach in its natural granite barrier. This unleashed a colossal mudflow of rocks and mud that cascaded into Lake Issyk, causing immense destruction. The mudflow then surged into the Issyk valley, causing chaos at the pioneer camp, in the streets of Issyk, and throughout the surrounding infrastructure.
Approximately 100 deaths were officially reported, although unofficial estimates suggest a much higher toll. The lake was largely forgotten until restoration efforts began in the mid-1980s, including the construction of a new dam and spillway system. A worship cross now stands at the lake, commemorating the tragedy, and an annual religious procession is held in remembrance, hoping to prevent such a disaster from occurring again.
1993: The Aktobe Reservoir Catastrophe
In the spring of 1993, Kazakhstan witnessed its largest flood as the Aktobe reservoir's dam ruptured. The deluge submerged settlements, displacing thousands and ravaging infrastructure. The Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions bore the brunt, underscoring the widespread devastation wrought by nature's fury.
The disaster impacted a total of 669 communities, comprising 41 regional centers and 11 cities. The calamity resulted in the loss of 10 lives, the evacuation of 12,700 residents, and approximately 30,000 individuals losing their homes. Furthermore, extensive damage was inflicted upon infrastructure, including 875 km of roads, 718 km of power lines, and other vital facilities.
2008: Southern Deluge
In February 2008, southern Kazakhstan faced a devastating inundation due to rapid snowmelt and rising temperatures, resulting in widespread flooding. Over 2,500 households were submerged, displacing families and causing immense distress. Tragically, amidst the chaos, one life was lost, and over 13,000 residents suffered injuries.
The impact was profound, with estimated damages reaching $130mn. Homes, roads, bridges, and crops bore the brunt of the catastrophe, leaving thousands displaced and livelihoods shattered. Prompt emergency responses were launched by both governmental bodies and humanitarian organizations to provide essential relief and aid to those affected, offering a ray of hope amid the crisis.
2010 Kyzyl Agash dam Tragedy: A Man-made Catastrophe
The night of March 12, 2010, etched a tragic chapter in Kazakhstan's history when a dam breach near Kyzyl Agash led to devastation. This disaster claimed the lives of 45 individuals, including eight children, and left approximately 300 others injured. Nearly 80% of the village's homes were obliterated, with 146 structures completely demolished by a two-meter wave, while 251 houses sustained severe damage, amounting to an estimated loss exceeding KZT 8bn ($17.8mn).
The incident was attributed to the former village head, Eset Zhunisov, and his brother, who held key positions in local cooperatives related to water management. Investigations revealed that the Kyzyl Agash reservoir had been privatized before the incident, and the new owners neglected proper monitoring or attempted to excessively fill the reservoir in preparation for the dry season. Consequently, the reservoir overflowed, breaching the dam and inundating Kyzyl Agash village and nearby settlements.
In the legal aftermath, Zhunisov and his brother received five-year sentences in penal colonies, while the dam owner, Kuanysh Bekeyev, faced a prison term. Additionally, the head of the district's emergency department received a two-year suspended sentence.
2012: South Kazakhstan's Ordeal
In 2012, southern Kazakhstan grappled with floods induced by heavy rains and sudden temperature spikes. The inundation affected 25 settlements across Aryssky, Otyrarsky, and Ordabasinsky districts, as well as the city of Shymkent.
The situation worsened on February 28 with a second wave of flooding, impacting 969 households, with 428 homes completely submerged and necessitating the evacuation of 2,260 people. To address the aftermath, KZT 713mn ($1.6mn) was allocated.
More Floods
Between 2011 and early 2023, Kazakhstan once again faced a series of devastating floods across various regions, underscoring the recurrent challenges posed by natural disasters. In 2011, the West Kazakhstan region suffered a catastrophic flood, resulting in two fatalities and injuring 16,000 individuals. Over 2,500 houses and 7,000 country homes were submerged, with damages exceeding $70mn.
On March 31, 2014, the Karaganda region experienced a powerful flood that caused the collapse of the Kokpekty reservoir dam, resulting in five fatalities and flooding around a hundred houses. Material damages were estimated at KZT 87.6mn ($195,078). While two officials faced accusations of negligence, they were not prosecuted due to the statute of limitations, while the reservoir's tenant, Vladimir Kryuchkov, received a three-year prison sentence.
The floods of 2017 brought devastation to various regions, including Akmola, Karaganda, and others. Dam ruptures and melting snow led to widespread flooding, affecting numerous settlements and causing property damage across multiple regions. In 2018, Eastern Kazakhstan, particularly Ust-Kamenogorsk and surrounding villages, suffered extensive flooding, displacing hundreds of residents and prompting local emergencies to be declared. Assistance from neighboring regions was mobilized to aid in rescue efforts.
March 2023 witnessed flooding in the Aktobe region due to an embankment failure, resulting in evacuations and damages to properties and livestock. Various other regions, including Kostanay and Shymkent, also experienced flooding, with heavy rain causing street inundation and property damage. Additionally, the Turkestan region faced evacuation due to flooding, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by natural disasters in Kazakhstan.
Government Response and Resilience Building
In response to recent flooding events, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in an address to the nation on April 6, acknowledged the severe impact of the widespread flooding that has recently besieged several regions of Kazakhstan . He poignantly characterized it as possibly the most significant disaster in the last 80 years, underscoring the profound damage inflicted and the pressing imperative for swift action.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations disclosed that floods impacted 3,171 privately owned residences and 179 residential districts spanning six regions. In response to this crisis, President Tokayev implemented a state of emergency in 10 regions, with the government intensifying its efforts to coordinate response operations.
“Both the head of the government [referring to Olzhas Bektenov], his deputies and the Minister for Emergency Situations [referring to Shyngys Arinov] are visiting the affected regions. All rescue work on the ground is under my personal control,” Tokayev voiced.
Humanitarian Aid
Responding to the urgent request from the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Center, in collaboration with A. Stativkina, the Coordinator of the Climate Change and Disaster Response Program of UNICEF in Kazakhstan, and N. Panzabekov, the Director of the Disaster Response Department of the Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan, swiftly made decisions regarding the contents of humanitarian cargo and transportation logistics. The cargo comprised 200 hygiene kits for families with children, 260 bedding sets, along with footwear, apparel, and essential tools.
Working alongside the Aktobe regional branch of the Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan, coordination was established with the Akimat and Emergency Management Department of the Aktobe region. Information regarding the number of temporary shelters in Aktobe, including details on families with children and individuals with disabilities, was acquired, and a designated unloading site for the humanitarian cargo was identified.
On April 8, 2024, the humanitarian cargo reached Aktobe, with assistance from the Emergency Management Department and the volunteer network of the Kazakhstan Red Crescent. 200 hygiene kits were distributed among affected families with children in 6 temporary shelters, each kit designed to support a family of 5, totaling 1000 individuals, including 600 children.
A total of 15 temporary shelters were established in Aktobe city, accommodating 1,286 people, including 638 children. Consequently, 78% of the temporarily sheltered population and nearly 94% of the children received humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan announced the initiation of a 300-ton humanitarian aid delivery to Kazakhstan, dubbed the "Caravan of Products," as per President Sadyr Japarov's directive. The objective is to offer assistance to the Kazakh population affected by recent flooding events, with the shipment including essential food supplies like sunflower oil, sugar, rice, pasta, and confectionery items. Additionally, the consignment encompasses locally produced mattresses, clothing, and tents to address shelter and clothing needs among displaced populations.
Despite advances in disaster management, Kazakhstan remains vulnerable to floods, with recurring tragedies underscoring the need for robust preventive measures and proactive responses. As climate change exacerbates weather extremes, the specter of floods looms large, necessitating concerted efforts to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
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