Today at the meeting of the Government chaired by the Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev, the Minister of Energy Kanat Bozumbayev reported on the preparedness for the 2018 flood season.

In his report, Kanat Bozumbayev noted that in order to provide quickly the hydrometeorological information to Kazhydromet RSE, observations are conducted on the state observation network, which includes 310 hydrological posts, 339 meteorological stations and posts, and two snow avalanche stations.

In the case of sudden changes in water bodies, all hydrological stations pass to frequent observations every four hours.

In addition, there is a scheme for bringing the warnings to the Committee for Emergency Situations of the MIA RK, the Committee on Water Resources of the MA RK and local executive bodies when natural hydrological events occur.

To determine moisture reserves in ravines where large snowstorms not taken into account in calculations are accumulated, expeditionary route detours along all basins of the main rivers are carried out by specialists of Kazhydromet branches and regional departments of emergencies on snow aerial vehicles.

"The main hydrological forecasts of Kazhydromet during flood periods will be provided to interested state bodies and akimats of the provinces on a weekly basis starting from 1 March 2018 with a seven-day lead time and with clarifications every three days," Kanat Bozumbayev said.

The Minister of Energy also noted that work is under way within the framework of the Roadmap “A Set of Measures for the Prevention and Elimination of Flood Threats for 2017-2020.”

Consultations on the accumulation of water reserves in the river basins for 2017 and as of February 1, 2018 have been sent in time to interested state bodies.

"In general, the analysis of accumulated water reserves, the depth of soil freezing and the fullness of reservoirs by 70-90% show that in the case of amicable spring, there may be risks of flooding of settlements, infrastructure facilities in Karaganda, North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions," Kanat Bozumbayev informed.

At the end of the report by the Minister of Energy, the Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev addressed Kanat Bozumbayev with the question of ensuring the timeliness of the Kazhydromet forecasts, which may be the reason for the local authorities' failure to take a number of necessary measures to prevent flood hazards.

"The forecast system has changed. If earlier we made a hydrological forecast for three months ahead, then from 1 March we will adopt a new system: a seven-day advance forecast. Its probability is more than 90%. Every three days there will be an adjustment. That is, all state bodies are more likely to be informed about the ongoing climate and other changes," Kanat Bozumbayev said.

Also, according to him, new approaches are being used in the compilation of forecasts: mathematical models, studies using radars.

"I cannot speak for our services, but the fact that Kazhydromet will give forecasts with a fulfillment probability over 90% is for sure," Kanat Bozumbayev said.