TURKESTAN: EXPERTS RAISED THE ISSUE OF THE SHARDARA RESERVOIR

 

Due to the increase in the water level of the Syrdarya River, the volume of water discharged into the Shardara reservoir is rising. In recent days, the reservoir receives an average of 1,500 cubic meters per second, or 42 million per day, and 1011 cubic meters are discharged. This leads to premature filling of the reservoir, which increases the risk of an emergency during spring floods.

Specialists of the water industry are alarmed by the danger at a strategically important facility. The topical issue was discussed in detail at the meeting chaired by akim of Turkestan region Darkhan Satybaldy. It was attended by the head of the branch of RSE "Kazhydromet" in Turkestan region Mahanbet Zhazykbayev, deputy head of the Aral-Syrdarya basin inspection Kulyan Kozhamkulova, director of the Turkestan branch of RSE "Kazvodromet" Kazbek Bedebayev. The akim of the region instructed to thoroughly conduct an examination on this issue.

The Shardara reservoir, located along the Syrdarya River, was put into operation more than half a century ago. Its total volume is 5.2 million cubic meters. Now there are over 4 million cubic meters there. The volume of water in the Koksarai water regulator has also increased. In the event of an emergency situation at the Shardara reservoir, there is a risk of flooding of 22 settlements with a population of 34 thousand people located in the lower part of the reservoir.

In this regard, the leadership of the Turkestan branch of RSE "Kazvodkhoz" voiced several proposals. Industry experts informed the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources that in order to ensure water safety and prevent threats in the region until March, it is necessary not to exceed 70% of the total occupancy of the Shardara reservoir (3.6 million cubic meters), and not to accumulate more than 1.6 million cubic meters in the Koksarai reservoir.

In order to prevent the threat, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan emphasizes the importance of facilitating the resolution of the issue through interstate negotiations. Specialists of the water industry spoke about the need to create a headquarters at the Government level to ensure water safety and prevent emergencies. A letter has been sent to the Government and the relevant ministry on these issues.

The situation in the Maktaaral district, which was under water a couple of years ago, was also announced at the meeting. For example, the Sardoba reservoir, which burst two or three years ago, holds 900 square meters, and the volume of the Shardara reservoir is 5-6 times larger. Therefore, it was about the urgent construction of an emergency water pipeline near the Shardarinsky reservoir.

Press service of the akim of Turkestan region