Kazakhstan to Deploy Drones to Monitor Flood Risk in North

Authorities in North Kazakhstan are using drones to monitor flood-prone areas in real time this spring, Orda.kz reports, citing the regional Akimat.

The initiative — part of a joint project between Kazakhtelecom and the regional government previously presented to the prime minister — was officially launched today during a visit by the Emergency Situations Minister, who reviewed local flood response efforts.

Eight drones equipped with thermal cameras and automatic recharging systems now conduct 24/7 surveillance of key sites at risk of flooding, including:

• Shagalaly River (Tayynsha)
  
• Toksan Bi village (Gabit Musrepov district)
  
• Sergeyev Reservoir
  
• Pokrovka village (Yesil district)
  
• Bridge in Novonikolskoe
  
• Teplichnoe, Pribrezhnoe, and Bolshaya Malyshka villages
  
• Zarichny, Kozhevenny, Usheva settlements
  
• A 0.8 km zone in Petropavlovsk

If water levels rise, the drones instantly transmit data to the regional emergency response center.

Using drones improves the accuracy of flood forecasts and helps minimize risks for residents,
regional Akim Gauyez Nurmukhambetov wrote on social media. 

Earlier, Emergency Minister Syrym Sharipkhanov reported to the president on the Ministry’s broader flood response measures.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova