Update on flooding in Karaganda Oblast

The risk of flooding in Akmola and Karaganda Oblasts, central Kazakhstan, is high because the warming was very sharp this spring, Tengrinews reports citing the Kazakhstan Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir Bozhko.

The flood in Kokpekti village has been the most disastrous one so far. The Minister arrived to the village two days earlier to express his condolence and evaluate the damage.

"5 bodies have been recovered during the rescue operation. Kokpekti residents Nogayev, 90, Nagibina, 88, Romashenko, 71, Nogayeva, 50 and Skibitsky, 34 died in the flood," Bozhko reported at the meeting. Families of the deceased will be paid a compensation of $5500 each.

Overall, 26 people sought medical help and 6 of them were hospitalized with hypothermia and nervous breakdown.

The Minister reported that 149 houses were flooded and 15 were destroyed. 64 cows and horses and 239 small cattle along with 27 pigs died in the flood. Corpses of all the dead animals were transferred to an animal burial site.

Villagers who lost their houses in the flood were lodged in a local school building and two village dorms. The emergency services are working on cleaning the area from the debris and pumping the water away. Policemen are patrolling the village to prevent any pillaging.

200 militarymen from the regional command #5451 Ortalyk were dispatched to help in the rescue operation. The military is helping with cleaning of the territory, evacuation of villagers and patrolling the village. They have cleaned 137 yards and 7 streets so far.

“There is a difficult situation in Akmola and Karaganda Oblasts because of the rapid snow melting, virtually all villages are flooded to some extent,” Bozhko said.

At the moment, a special committee is estimating the damage and preparting to pay the compensations to the villagers of Kokpekti.