Most important thing is to save people’s lives and minimize disaster consequences – PM Bektenov
Minister of Emergencies Chingis Arinov reported to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on flood situation in the country. Local emergencies departments joined the meeting via video conference, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the press service of the Kazakh Government.
According to the Emergencies Ministry, more than 2.3 million cubic meters of meltwater were pumped out, more than 162,000 sandbags, and 31,587 tons of inert materials were laid. 6,349 people and 2,192 specialized vehicles are engaged in emergency-rescue operations.
The Prime Minister said this year’s flash flood turned out to be the largest one.
“The most important thing now is to save people’s lives and minimize the consequences of the disaster,” he stressed.
“Afterwards, an inspection will be carried out in order to identify possible facts of negligence of individual officials in the performance of their official duties. I have already discussed this issue with the Prosecutor General” he added.
Bektenov noted that the threat of flood remains high in the North Kazakhstan region, while several regions have already announced state of emergency.
The Ministry of Emergencies was tasked to toughen control over flood fighting efforts in all regions.
