At the government session chaired by the Prime Minister Askar Mamin, the readiness for the flood period was considered.

Minister of Emergency Situations Yuri Ilyin, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development Beibut Atamkulov, Akims of Akmola region — Yermek Marzhikpayev, Pavlodar region — Abylkair Skakov, North Kazakhstan region — Kumar Aksakalov, Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar presented their reports.

The preliminary forecasts of the RSE Kazhydromet on the volume of snow reserves in the river basins are favorable, but in the event of intensive snow melting and heavy precipitation, the flood situation may be aggravated in a number of regions. At present, the average filling of large reservoirs is 70-75%. Repair of about 500 of 6 thousand water facilities is required.

To protect settlements from floods, the Roadmap for Flood Prevention Measures for 2021-2023 was approved, for the implementation of which it is planned to allocate more than 160 billion tenge. As part of readiness for the upcoming flood period at the regional level, meetings of the Emergency Situations Commission were held, stocks of fuel and lubricants, inert materials and sack containers were formed, emergency reserves for urgent expenses were provided, the formation of civil protection numbering over 38 thousand people was determined, about 13 thousand units of equipment, more than 500 swimming and over 2,500 water pumping devices. More than 13 million cubic meters of snow were exported from settlements.

At the beginning of March, it is planned to hold the Koktem-2021 republican command post exercise, during which the readiness of the state civil protection system will be checked.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations has created a grouping of forces and means of emergency rescue units: over 10 thousand employees, more than 1,800 pieces of equipment, 27 helicopters, 330 watercraft and 1.3 thousand motor pumps. In the military units of civil defense, tent camps for 3 thousand people have been prepared, Kazaviaspas' aircraft are in constant readiness.

“It is necessary to take systemic measures to prevent floods,” said Mamin, instructing to determine the timing of the repair of hydraulic structures and safe volumes of filling reservoirs within a month.

Akimats of Aktobe, Karaganda, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions were instructed in accordance with the law to complete the issue of transferring ownership of abandoned hydraulic structures. The Ministry of Industry and regional akimats were instructed to prevent overflows on highways, to carry out timely preparation of bridges and culverts.

“Akims of the regions need to ensure timely work on snow removal, including from rural settlements and residential areas, clearing irrigation ditches, storm sewers, construction of temporary earth embankments and dams,” Mamin said.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with regional akims, was instructed to ensure the creation of appropriate operational headquarters, the readiness of forces and means for the upcoming flood-hazardous period and timely notification of the population in case of a possible threat of floods.

The head of government noted the need to intensify work on informing the population about the rules of action in the event of a threat and occurrence of flooding.