North Kazakhstan region to use drones to monitor flood situation

The facilities play a key role in protection of the local settlements from floodwaters and in provision of the residents with drinking water.

The goal of the Prime Minister’s trip is to check the region’s preparation for the flooding period in line with the President’s task.

The Sergeyev hydraulic structure is the main regulator of the Yessil River flow, which operates in the cascade with the Petropavlovsk hydraulic structure, forming a unified water utilization system which provides North Kazakhstan region, and partially Kostanay and Akmola regions with water. The system also guarantees water passage to Russia’s Tyumen region.

During the last year floods, a large volume of water and ice drift in the lower pool caused ground ablation from the left bank at the Sergeyev hydraulic structure. Meanwhile, no damage was recorded at the Petropavlovsk hydroelectric complex.

In 2024, the government allocated 278.5 million tenge from the national budget for the repair of hydrotechnical facilities and flood prevention efforts at the Sergeyev and Petropavlovsk hydraulic structures.

More than 1,400 cubic meters of large size rubble stone were brought here to reinforce river embankment. The bottom of the lower pool near the Sergeyev dam was dredged.

Director of the regional branch of Kazvodkhoz Shugaip Ibatullin reported that both hydraulic structures are in a satisfactory condition and are operating in a routine mode.

Meanwhile, chief of the regional Kazhydromet branch Kymbat Mergalimova said that the amount of precipitation this year will be above normal, in particular, in southern and eastern districts. Heavy precipitation is forecast in mid- and late February, with temperatures to drop in the first and second decades. Flood risks remain high for the districts located downstream from the Sergeyev Water Reservoir.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Sergeyev hydraulic structure is a strategic facility in the flood-prone region, whose operation directly impacts on provision of residents with water. 

Bektenov also tasked to enhance water management facilities in the region, and actively introduce digital solutions and conduct bathymetric surveys.

In Petropavlosk, the Prime Minister checked the course of reconstruction and new technological equipment of the first-stage pumping station.

Olzhas Bektenov also checked the reconstruction of the city’s bypass road, which is a part of the North-South corridor. The road also connects Shuchinsk, Kokshetau, and Petropavlovsk cities with the border of the Russian Federation, as well as one of two bridges across the Yessil River in the administrative center. The project is estimated at 71 billion tenge, with 18 billion tenge to be allocated from the national budget at the first stage.

This year, the region plans to use drones to monitor the flood situation, with further scaling to other flood-prone regions.

The authorities also plan to use UAVs to immediately receive on-the-spot information during the flood period.

Earlier, Kazinform reported that Kazakhstan plans to build three channels to divert floodwaters of Yessil River to Aral Sea.