Southern and western regions of Kazakhstan are expected to face a shortage of rainfall this summer during the critical ripening period for vegetables and fruits. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, has urged local authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture to prepare measures for irrigating croplands.
Speaking at a government meeting, Nurzhigitov cited forecasts from Kazhydromet, Kazakhstan’s national meteorological service, supported by data from the World Meteorological Organization and the North Eurasian Climate Center. According to the forecasts, a short-term drought is expected in May in the southern part of the Kostanay region, a major grain-producing area in northern Kazakhstan. However, this will likely be alleviated by subsequent summer rains.
In contrast, the May drought in other regions is expected to persist. Areas likely to be affected include the southwestern half of West Kazakhstan and Mangistau regions, the northwestern Kyzylorda region, northern parts of the Almaty and Zhambyl regions, southern Karaganda, and various parts of the Aktobe, Atyrau, Abai, and Turkestan regions.
Nurzhigitov emphasized that the western and southern regions, located in the Zhayik and Syr Darya river basins, are particularly at risk. He warned that prolonged dry conditions could significantly disrupt the agricultural sector.
“It is necessary to develop a set of operational measures aimed at minimizing the consequences of a possible moisture deficit,” he said, highlighting especially severe concerns about water shortages in the Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions. According to Nurzhigitov, water reservoirs in the affected basin are currently at only 75% of average capacity.
As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan aims to boost its grain exports this year, with an eye on expanding deliveries to Africa.