Where In Kazakhstan It Is Hardest To Breathe — New Pollution Rating

Karaganda and Petropavlovsk had Kazakhstan’s highest levels of air pollution at the end of April 2026, Orda.kz reports, citing Kazhydromet.

Kazhydromet checked air quality in 68 settlements across the country. Karaganda and Petropavlovsk were classified as having a very high level of air pollution.

Another 13 settlements were placed in the high-pollution category. They include Astana, Almaty, Aktobe, Atyrau, Oskemen, Ridder, Temirtau, Abay, Satpayev, Pavlodar, Turkestan, Talgar, and Shubarshi village.

Seventeen settlements were classified as having increased pollution. Among them were Shymkent, Aktau, Kostanay, Semey, Zhezkazgan, Taldykorgan, Balkhash, Aralsk, Shu, Ayagoz, Zhanbay village, and the villages of Ganyushkino, Kenkiyak, and Kyzylsay.

A low level of pollution was recorded in 36 settlements, including Uralsk, Taraz, Kyzylorda, Ekibastuz, Zhanaozen, Burabay, Shchuchinsk, and other cities.

Original author: Alina Elgeldina

Read also:

• Kazakhstan’s Air Pollution Isn’t Driven by Factories — Ministry of Ecology
• Kazakhstan To Require Near Real-Time Emissions Reporting From Enterprises
• Almaty Residents Warned of Elevated Air Pollution