Kazakhstan – Hundreds Evacuated After Heavy Rain and Melting Snow Cause Flooding in East

Three days of heavy rain and melting snow have caused flooding in East Kazakhstan Region of Kazakhstan.

Flooding has affected the regional capital, Oskemen, and the districts of Ayagoz, Glubokoe, Kurshim and Ulan. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries.

Kazakhstan’s Committee on Emergency Situations reported that a team of over 1,000 people using boats, vehicles and pumps are responding to the situation. As of 12 March, 400 people had been evacuated, many of those in the district of Ayagoz, where severe flooding has damaged over 40 houses.

Emergency authorities also said that rescues were carried out in Kurshim District after flooding from the overflowing Kurchum (Kurshim) River washed away a bridge. Around 42 houses have also been flooded in the area.

Residents of the village of Topterek were isolated and rescuers from the Eastern Regional Airborne Operative Rescue Team together with the Kurshim District Emergency Department and local police service helped deliver supplies and carry out rescue operations.

The Committee on Emergency Situations added that flooding has also damaged 8 buildings in Oskemen, 2 in Ulan district and over 50 in Glubokoe.

Over 7,000 people were evacuated in April last year after melting snow caused flooding in 7 regions of Kazakhstan.