Avalanches threaten Almaty because of trees fallen by storms

Avalanche risk in winter has escalated at Shymbulak skiing resort and in Medeu gorge because of the trees fallen by the storms in spring, Tengrinews.kz reports citing head of natural disasters laboratory of the Geography Institute Viktor Blagoveschenskiy. According to him, there is an avalanche threat at the road to Shymbulak and the neighboring facilities. Snow-holding dams and protective nets have to be installed, he said. “There are three avalanche channels above Medeu dam. There is a risk there as well, first of all for the tourists,” Blagoveschenskiy said. “Please note Mokhnatka mount; it requires protection too.” Should this winter be snowy, the area will have to be protected very well. Storms on May 17 and June 27 fell down almost 10 thousand trees, ripped off the roofs of 37 buildings and residential houses. By Roza Yessenkulova