Flood damage in South Kazakhstan estimated at 1 billion tenge

A special commission has presented preliminary estimates of the damage caused by the floods in several regions of South-Kazakhstan oblast in February, KazTAG reports citing oblast/s administration. According to the commission, it is necessary to replace 90 badly damaged houses with the new ones and repair 280 other houses. Construction of 4 major bridges will require 350 million tenge ($2.3 million). 90 million tenge ($609 thousand) are necessary for 30 smaller passes made of pipes and 15 million tenge ($101 thousand) - for restoration of roads. "All this infrastructure will require 1.2 billion tenge ($8 million). The works to protect population and the territory of South-Kazakhstan oblast from natural disasters, like landslides and floods, are in process and under constant control of the oblast commission," the administration stated. Sharp warming and heavy abundant rainfall caused melt waters to raise flooding 12 regions and 226 villages. "Thanks to preventive measures, flooding of 7 regions and 186 villages has been prevented," the oblast's administration said. The floods in 30 villages damaged 610 houses. According to the commission, 7 of them and 28 yards were destroyed, 83 houses were damaged beyond repair, 280 houses were damaged badly and need repairs and 240 houses were damaged by can still be used. 15 thousand people and 1,238 vehicles were mobilized for elimination of the flood consequences. 38.8 km of protective structures were erected and 68 km of them were repaired to ensure safety of the residents. 33 km of channels were built and over 1,000 km of channels were cleared up. 22.8 km of bank pitching works were performed and 24 flood-gates were constructed.