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Tengrinews.kz – Meteorologists are warning about worsening weather and the upcoming snowfall in Almaty. The city authorities have taken measures to ensure it is ready for the expected precipitation.
Preparation
Before the snowfall, sand spreaders will be deployed to certain locations.
“With the start of the snowfall, the roads will be treated with anti-icing materials. Preventive treatment of the roads with liquid reagents will also take place,” the city administration reported.
In the Almalinsky and Medeu districts, two brine preparation plants are ready to provide the chemical reagents for road treatment.
The authorities also highlighted that the increase in the number of special vehicles has resulted in more snow-clearing teams, allowing the streets to be cleared faster.
"According to snow removal technology, anti-icing treatment of the roads begins with the start of the snowfall. After the snow 'slush' is formed, which does not stick to the asphalt, snow-clearing teams are organized to push the snow to the curbs, form piles, and remove the gathered snow,” the administration stated.
Equipment
According to the city authorities, there are 1,035 units of special equipment for cleaning the city’s road network.
“In addition, to improve the quality and speed of street cleaning, replace manual labor with mechanized work, reduce operating costs, and improve the environmental situation, 330 units of specialized equipment will be purchased in 2025. More than 2,700 road workers are involved,” the city said.
Almaty has 16 production bases with de-icing materials and 9 sand bases. This ensures that no location is more than 3–4 kilometers away from the nearest cleaning station.
“The sufficient number of special equipment, material and technical resources, and labor resources allow us to ensure the treatment of the entire city with anti-icing reagents in the shortest possible time,” the authorities assured.
Possible snowfall
As confirmed by the city authorities, today municipal services have switched to an enhanced work mode. Over 1,000 units of special equipment and 2,700 road workers are expected to be deployed. Preventive treatment of the main highways with anti-icing materials is planned before the snowfall begins.
“Patrolling of the roads is intensified to promptly identify and eliminate ice on descents, ascents, and other hazardous areas — 75 operational brigades are on duty. The Almaty Rescue Service has prepared 15 units of equipment and 50 staff members, while the Emergency Situations Department has 53 units of equipment and 244 employees on duty,” the administration reported.
Around-the-clock duty is also established at the city administration, district administrations, housing infrastructure departments, and cleaning companies, ensuring work performance control.
Recommendations from the authorities
With the expected ice formation, drivers are advised to switch to winter tires, reduce speed, maintain a safe distance, and avoid sharp maneuvers. Those with less experience are encouraged to use public transport where possible. Pedestrians should be cautious on slippery sidewalks and avoid standing too close to high-rise buildings due to the risk of snow falling from the roofs. Residents are also advised to plan their routes in advance and dress warmly.
P.S. Every year, the authorities announce the readiness of municipal services for winter, but the first significant snowfall often paralyzes movement in Almaty. We’ll see if the services can deliver a better outcome this time.
