Tengrinews.kz – A powerful squall wind hit East Kazakhstan Region on the night of April 5. The regional akimat reported on the aftermath of the natural disaster.
The city of Ridder suffered the most damage, where wind gusts reached destructive force, causing serious consequences for urban infrastructure and residential buildings.
Photo of the EKR Akimat
"According to preliminary data, in Ridder, partial damage to power lines was recorded, roofs were torn off residential and utility buildings, trees and various structures were toppled. About 1,237 consumers in the DOSAAF area were left without electricity due to an emergency shutdown of line L-61 from substation PS-1. Two emergency crews are working on restoration, and a third is being assembled. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the day," the akimat said in a statement.
Photo of the EKR Akimat
An emergency headquarters has been set up. Utility and emergency services have switched to enhanced duty. All citizen requests are being processed promptly, and the situation is under control by local authorities.
Other areas were also affected by the storm.
In Ust-Kamenogorsk, the central dome of the "Khalifa Altai" mosque was damaged, and philanthropists have joined in to help. Trees and structures fell on Ostrovsky, Pribrezhnaya, Demyan Bedny, Dobrolyubov, Satpayev streets, and others.
Photo of the EKR Akimat
Structures collapsed near 45 Krylov Street. A traffic light on Yesenberlin Street is not working – traffic is being directed manually. On Serikbayev Street 1/2, smoke appeared on a balcony, but the fire was quickly extinguished. In Shemonaikha, the roof of a five-story building was torn off over an area of 300 square meters – the building had been renovated just a year ago.
Due to strong winds and dry weather, multiple fires involving trash and dry grass were recorded across the region. Trash and dry grass caught fire in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Fires were also recorded in Ridder.
"All fires were promptly extinguished by the Emergency Department and local authorities, with no casualties reported. Emergency services continue to operate in enhanced mode. The akimats are carrying out clean-up, restoration, and damage assessment. Citizens’ requests are being processed immediately. Despite significant damage, there were no human casualties," the akimat noted.