Kazakhstan Looks To AI To Track Melting Glaciers And Water Shortages

Kazakhstan loses up to 1% of its glacier mass every year, along with strategic reserves of fresh water. Against this background, the state plans to use artificial intelligence to manage the country’s water resources, Orda.kz reports.

Kuanysh Uzbekov, a Qazaq Expert Club specialist in water policy, explained why Kazakhstan needs the functions of a “digital hydrologist.”

According to him, the rapid melting of glaciers in the coming years may increase the risk of landslides and moraine lake outbursts.

In the short term, intensive glacier melting increases the risk of moraine lake outbursts and destructive landslides. In the long term, the country may face a serious shortage of drinking and irrigation water,Uzbekov said.

He noted that many countries already use artificial intelligence to manage water resources. Algorithms can help forecast floods, detect hidden leaks, and assess drought risks.

That is why the government has announced plans to create a water resource management system using artificial intelligence. Such a platform is expected to combine data on glaciers, rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater, helping forecast the country’s future water balance,Uzbekov said.

In agriculture, for example, Israeli companies use sensors and machine-learning algorithms to determine how much irrigation plants actually need. According to the companies, this technology can reduce water consumption by up to 70% without reducing yields.

Uzbekov added that Kazakhstan’s greatest potential lies in creating digital models of major water basins, reducing water losses in utility networks, and constantly monitoring glaciers.

Original author: Alina Elgeldina

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