Since Soviet times, the irrigation water to the southern region of Kazakhstan has mainly been provided by the Kirovskoye reservoir in Kyrgyzstan, from the trans- boundary Talas River
Astana
Kyrgyzstan ceased the supply of irrigation water to the southern Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan in August, resulting in a threat to agricultural crops in the region, the press service of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan reports.
“Along the Talas River in August… Kazakhstan’s requirement is 45 m3/sec, but the actual water supply is 0 m3/sec. Negotiations are currently underway with the service of the Talas Basin Water Management Kyrgyzstan,” the statement said. The negotiations also concern the maintenance of the Zhambyl Thermal Power Plant.
According to the ministry, a deficit of irrigation water is being felt in several districts of the southern region of Kazakhstan, and “due to the failure to supply water from the Kirovskoye reservoir, about 4 thousand hectares of onions and sugar beets are at risk.”
The Deputy Head of the Kazakh Ministry, Galidulla Azidullin, is currently in the Zhambyl region to address the issues that have arisen, according to the press service.
Since Soviet times, the supply of irrigation water to the southern region of Kazakhstan, up to 80% of it, has mainly been provided by the Kirovskoye reservoir in Kyrgyzstan, through water from the trans- boundary Talas River.
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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on Aug 11, 2023)
