In January of this year, the Shardara Reservoir received 2.6 billion cubic meters of water from the Syr Darya River, exceeding the forecast by 100 million cubic meters, as reported by the Kapital.kz business information center, citing the press service of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
“Last year, we actively negotiated with neighboring countries, which allowed us to fully supply farmers in southern Kazakhstan with irrigation water. Now we are carefully examining how well the agreements made by 'Kazvodkhoz' with the region's farmers were upheld. We are investigating whether there were any violations and instances of water supply without contracts. Previously, representatives from the Ministry's Internal Audit Department visited the region. Starting Monday, another working group of our specialists will begin the inspection,” noted Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov during a meeting with residents of the Turkestan region.
In the village of Myrzakent in the Maktaaral district, the head of the ministry delivered a report detailing the efforts made to provide the region with the necessary water volumes.
Residents of the Turkestan region posed questions to the minister regarding the reconstruction of irrigation and drainage systems, the condition of certain hydraulic structures, the distribution of irrigation water, water supply contracts, the construction of new reservoirs, the training of specialists, and subsidies for farmers.
Recall that it was previously announced that Kazakhstan is expected to receive 11 billion cubic meters of water this coming spring. These agreements were reached with Central Asian countries.
It is anticipated that the planned volume of water will flow into the Shardara Reservoir via the Syr Darya River, with 1.6 billion cubic meters directed towards the Aral Sea.