Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to supply 600 million m³ of water to Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will supply 600 million cubic meters of water to help overcome irrigation shortages in southern Kazakhstan. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Qanat Bozumbayev at a government briefing on August 7.

According to Bozumbayev, the current irrigation situation in southern Kazakhstan requires urgent measures. Previously concluded intergovernmental agreements make it possible to provide the necessary volume of water for agricultural needs.

He noted that all necessary negotiations have been held with representatives of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Earlier, there was a delay of more than 1 billion cubic meters in water supplies to Kazakhstan.

“Our growing season ends in August. We think that, despite the tense situation, we will try to finish it without losses. I personally traveled around the Turkestan region, visited many districts and reservoirs, met with farmers. I also viewed the Kyzylorda region from the air. The situation is tense, but there have been even more difficult years,” Bozumbayev said.

The deputy prime minister also drew attention to the difficult climatic conditions in Central Asia this year, which include water shortages, high summer temperatures and a lack of precipitation. These factors have reduced water flow and increased agricultural water consumption.

According to Bozumbayev, the water capacity of the Syrdarya, Chu, Talas rivers and other canals has decreased by 30-40 percent compared to normal levels. This has created additional difficulties in ensuring water supply to the region.

It is worth noting that earlier, representatives of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan met in Gulistan, Tajikistan, to discuss the rational use of water resources in the Syrdarya basin.