Thousands evacuated by helicopter and boat: Flood disaster in Kazakhstan

As spring arrived in Kazakhstan, melting snow caused flooding in the cities of Aktobe and Kostanay, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people by helicopter and boat.

The warming weather in Kazakhstan caused snow to melt, triggering floods in the northern, western, and eastern regions of the country. According to data from the Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations, rivers overflowed in the cities of Aktobe and Kostanay, which were the most affected by the floods, causing water to inundate several residential areas. Thousands of local residents, forced to abandon their homes, were evacuated to safe areas by military helicopters and speedboats.

In a statement issued by the Kazakhstan Ministry of Emergency Situations, it was noted that efforts to mitigate the consequences of the flood are ongoing, and that at least 500 thousand cubic meters of water have been pumped out in Aktobe since March 21, with more than 50 thousand sandbags placed.

It was also reported that water pumping operations have been completed at the flood-affected Aktobe Airport and that hundreds of pets stranded in flooded areas have been taken to safe locations.

150 people placed in temporary shelters in the city
In the evacuation footage from the city of Kostanay shared by the ministry, it was notable that local residents were waiting for help on the roofs of houses that were completely submerged. It was observed that helicopters belonging to the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Kazakh army, which were involved in the evacuation efforts, picked up hundreds of people from the roofs of houses and took them to safe areas.

In the statement made by the ministry, it was reported that a total of 150 people, including 63 children, who were rescued from the flooded villages of Ekidin, Akkisy, Kyzylzhuldyz, and Zhanakala, as well as 9 wintering sites in the Kostanay region, were transported to temporary shelters established in the city of Arkalyk.

News Source: İHA