South Kazakhstan may face water shortfall of up to 1 bcm in 2026Southern Kazakhstan could experience a water shortage of up to 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) in the 2026 growing season, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said on Tuesday.“In all three regions – Kyzylorda, Turkestan and Zhambyl – the continuation of the low-water period has been confirmed. (…) The projected water inflow during the 2026 growing season is only 1–2 billion cubic meters, creating the risk of a shortage of up to 1 billion cubic meters,” Bozumbayev told a government meeting.He said inflow to the Shardara Reservoir has dropped 43%, while water reserves in the Naryn–Syrdarya cascade are 3.8 billion cubic meters below last year. In the Zhambyl region, reservoirs are only 41% full, and there is a risk that the Kirov and Teris-Ashchybulak reservoirs will not be filled.Bozumbayev also noted that several regions failed to meet their 2025 targets for reducing the acreage of water-intensive crops despite worsening shortages.“Nevertheless, the rollout of water-saving technologies continues: their use now covers more than 543,500 hectares, increasing by roughly 150,000 hectares annually. State support has also grown substantially: the 2026–2028 budget allocates 228.1 billion tenge, including 214.6 billion tenge for investment subsidies,” he said.Following on-site inspections in the south, the ministries of agriculture and water resources, together with regional administrations, have been instructed to set water-use limits and draft a crop-placement plan within two weeks. Limits for a worst-case water-availability scenario will be finalized by February 1, and adjustments to cropping patterns for water-intensive crops are due by March 1.Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, in turn, ordered regional authorities to repair water supply systems and irrigation canals ahead of the growing season and to “ensure strict adherence to cropland-diversification indicators.”He stressed that irrigation-water supplies must not exceed approved limits.He added that construction of the Shardara water pipeline is scheduled for completion in July 2026 and will ensure a stable supply of drinking water to the city. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX