Astana, 23 October. Astana residents noticed on the morning of 23 October that the Yesil river near Kenesary Street had become very shallow overnight and posted photos and videos; the city akimat explained that the water level had dropped because of planned construction of a fifth-stage water-regulating dam, work that has now been completed.
"The city construction department was carrying out planned work to build a fifth-stage water-regulating dam on the Yesil river. The work has now been completed and the water is beginning to rise," the akimat's press service told Zakon.kz. According to residents, ducks used to swim on this stretch, but now there is an unpleasant smell from the riverbed; one resident called the sight an "apocalypse".
The akimat did not say how long it will take for the water level to recover or what the dam is for. A water-regulating dam is a structure used to keep the river at the required level within the city.
What it means: The sudden drop in the Yesil is the result of construction, not an accident or drought; according to the akimat, the water has already begun to return.
Who benefits: The akimat is building the dam to regulate the river level; who ultimately benefits the sources do not specify. Residents near Kenesary Street had to put up with the smell and the sight of the exposed riverbed.
Background: The drop was first spotted by readers of the Astanovka98 channel, which published their video and asked the akimat for comment.
List of sources used: NUR.KZ, Zakon.kz, Astanovka98
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
