After Astana Flooding, Billions to Be Spent on Drainage Systems

Kazakhstan will finance the construction and reconstruction of stormwater drainage systems under its national utility modernization project, Orda.kz reports.

Nursultan Kerimkulov, deputy chair of the Construction and Housing and Utilities Committee, said stormwater infrastructure is considered part of the wider drainage system and therefore qualifies for funding under the project.

About five billion tenge has already been allocated from a special state fund this year. Additional financing will also be provided from local budgets,Kerimkulov said.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Construction Olzhas Saparbekov said Astana’s recurring flooding is partly caused by drainage systems being designed for average weather conditions, while intense downpours can far exceed those levels.

There are cases when rainfall significantly exceeds average levels. This naturally creates problems for residents. However, building infrastructure for such rare weather events would require major spending, so such decisions must be assessed in terms of both necessity and cost,Saparbekov said.

He added that akimats and regulated utility providers are already working to develop drainage systems under their existing plans.

Original author: Alina Yelgeldina

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