Kazakhstan Emergency Minister left for hurricane-hit Zhanaozen

Heavy rain and a hurricane came upon Zhanaozen town in Mangistau oblast of western Kazakhstan in the evening of July 15, Tengrines.kz reports citing Kazakhstan's Emergency Situations Ministry. The disaster damaged roofs of many buildings and flooded the yards. Besides, Shugyla, Samal, Koktem and Orken regions suffered electricity blackouts. “Zhanaozen administration received 66 application from people about roofs damages and flooded yards,” the Ministry states. An 11-y.o. kid got an electric shock in Aksu region. He was hospitalized with thermal burns. The rain flooded a railroad section (around 4 meters) 74km from Aktau, which caused delays of Mangistau-Astana and Mangistau-Atyrau trains. The trains’ movement was resumed after several hours. A crisis center for elimination of the disaster’s consequences has been created in Zhanaozen. Kazakhstan Emergency Minister Vladimir Bozhko has left for Zhanaozen. Besides, a rescue team of West Regional Airmobile Rescue Forces of Kazakhstan Emergency Situations Ministry are also headed to the accident site. 64 people and 45 vehicles of the local executive authorities are involved in elimination of the emergency situation.