The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to launch a new joint initiative worth US$2 million to enhance flood resilience and strengthening dam safety in Kazakhstan. The new project will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MWRI) under the auspices of the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector, co-chaired by UNDP.
This initiative aims to incorporate water infrastructure, particularly dams, into the national flood management plan by developing a dam flood and safety management concept, perform a multi-functional dam assessment for maximum two dams using this new concept, and implement a monitoring and dam surveillance system including early warning communication and automation at one dam. It will be integrating dam integrity, monitoring, surveillance, and reservoir operations into the national water information system for possible future scale up nationwide.
A key component of the project is the modernization of the dam monitoring system, which will be linked to flood early warning and preparedness systems. Emphasizing the importance of digitalization, the project focuses on building a robust early warning system and enhancing flood preparedness through the digitalization of data and automation with advanced hardware and software. Digital technologies are central to the initiative playing a crucial role in monitoring, operating, and surveilling dams, thereby increasing operational efficiency and enhancing dam safety.
“Against the backdrop of increasing climate risks, immediate action is a top priority. Kazakhstan’s water infrastructure plays a critical role in national flood resilience, but many dams were not designed for today’s climate challenges. This initiative is in line with our National Water Action Plan and will address the most pressing issues related to dam safety and flood preparedness,”
said Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to UN estimates, by 2030, the world could experience about 560 disasters per year, with approximately 75 percent of extreme weather events linked to climate change. Millions of people are affected by these events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves, and Kazakhstan is no exception. Last year, the flood situation was unprecedented. Frozen soil, a sudden temperature rise, and rainfall, in conjunction with a considerable snow layer, resulted in extremely high flows in the north and west of Kazakhstan. Many rivers experienced all-time high-water levels, and flood defense structures could not cope with the extreme flood volumes. The flood inundated large areas, including settlements and agricultural zones.
Given Kazakhstan’s increasing exposure to extreme weather events, ensuring the safety and efficiency of its water infrastructure has become a national priority. Kazakhstan hosts over 400 reservoirs, with dams controlling nearly 83 percent of surface water resources. Most dams serve multiple functions, such as flood mitigation, water supply, and, in some cases, hydropower, requiring complex water management strategies to balance these competing demands.
“This project will strengthen Kazakhstan’s capabilities in disaster prevention and risk reduction, contributing to greater disaster resilience and, ultimately, to sustainable economic development”,
said Yasumasa Iijima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
However, many of these dams were built over 50 years ago using Soviet-era design standards that did not account for climate change risks. Out of 1,502 hydraulic structures in Kazakhstan, 537 require urgent reconstruction, and 304 pose an immediate threat to public safety due to a lack of modern warning systems. Recognizing these risks, UNDP supported the Government of Kazakhstan in developing a national flood forecasting and modeling system to integrate with global flood warning networks.
“Floods are among the most devastating climate risks Kazakhstan faces, impacting thousands of people and economic stability. Enhancing infrastructure and preparedness measures to mitigate flood risks directly supports disaster risk reduction and water sector priorities. UNDP is proud to contribute its expertise and leverage digital solutions and innovation to assist its national partners in sustainable water management practices.”
The initiative also complements UNDP’s ongoing work in integrating climate adaptation into regional development strategies, ensuring a unified and comprehensive approach to resilience-building across the country.
https://www.undp.org/kazakhstan/press-releases/japan-and-undp-launch-new-initiative-strengthen-kazakhstans-flood-preparedness-under-auspices-coordination-council-partners