In preparation for the coming spring flood season, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is pre-emptively releasing water from key reservoirs across the country’s northern, central, western, and eastern regions to prepare for the influx of meltwater expected during the spring thaw.
At the same time, reservoirs in the southern, arid regions which heavily rely on irrigation water for agriculture continue operating in the accumulation mode.
According to the ministry, large reservoirs in the north of the country are currently filled to an average of 70% of their capacity, while reservoirs in central Kazakhstan are 68% full. In the western regions, this figure is 48%, and in the eastern regions, 86%. Currently, the total free capacity in the country’s reservoirs is 14.3 billion cubic meters, with an expected floodwater inflow of 9.1-13.9 billion cubic meters.
Kazakhstan coordinates flood preparation measures with neighboring countries. A working group on flood control was established jointly with the Russian Federation in 2025, and a system for emergency information exchange and monitoring of transboundary waters is in place jointly with China.
To prepare riverbeds for increased water volumes, Kazakhstan prepared a roadmap for the rehabilitation of river sections near populated areas for 2025-2027. To date, 166.9 km of riverbeds have been cleaned and deepened in the northern, central, and western regions. This year, 192.5 km of riverbeds are planned for cleaning and deepening.
According to First Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurlan Aldamzharov, Kazakhstan is actively preparing for the spring flood season, with specialized equipment and materials prepared and data being exchanged with neighboring countries. “Optimal reservoir operating conditions are calculated every 10 days. These measures will ensure the readiness of water management facilities to receive and safely pass floodwaters. The ministry is monitoring the water management situation on a daily basis, and we are continuing to work with local administrations to reduce flood risks and ensure the safety of the population and infrastructure,” he said.
These efforts are aimed at preventing a repeat of the devastating floods of spring 2024, the worst in 80 years, which affected Kazakhstan’s western and northern regions due to rapid snowmelt. The disaster destroyed thousands of homes and forced over 100,000 people to evacuate.
