Uzbekistan to Provide Kazakhstan with 500 Million Cubic Meters of Water for Irrigation
Uzbekistan Exceeds Water Supply Obligations to Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan has successfully met its commitment to supply over 4 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan through the Syr Darya river in just four months, surpassing the initial agreement. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Kazakhstan has confirmed that Uzbekistan will provide an additional 500 million cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan by the end of the irrigation season.
Since April 1, Uzbekistan has been delivering water to Kazakhstan through the Syr Darya, totaling more than 4 billion cubic meters. Earlier negotiations between the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and Uzbekistan had established a goal of 3.7 billion cubic meters within six months, which Uzbekistan managed to achieve ahead of schedule.
The focus of these efforts is to ensure that farmers in southern Kazakhstan receive sufficient irrigation water. The Chardara Reservoir currently holds 1.5 billion cubic meters of water, an increase of 500 million cubic meters compared to last year. A total of 4 billion cubic meters of water has been directed to the reservoir.
From the Chardara Reservoir, 4.5 billion cubic meters of water were released downstream through the Syr Darya, an increase of 1 billion cubic meters from the previous year. The Kyzylkum Canal received 850 million cubic meters, while 590 million cubic meters were allocated to the North Aral Sea.
With agreements in place regarding the Toktogul and Bahri-Tajik reservoirs, water is now consistently flowing into Kazakhstan via the ‘Dostyk’ interstate canal. This has enabled a flow of 90 cubic meters of water per second, sufficient to meet the irrigation needs of farmers in the Turkestan region, according to Möldir Abdualiyeva, a representative of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
Overall, Uzbekistan’s proactive approach to water supply has not only fulfilled commitments to Kazakhstan but also ensured sufficient water resources for agriculture in the region.
