After the devastating earthquake in Nepal, Kazakhs have been pondering a potential threat to Almaty, as the local mountains bear resemblance to the Himalayas. Specialists have weighed in on how realistic such a scenario is, reports infohub.kz.
Geologists have drawn parallels between the mountains around Almaty and the Himalayas, noting that while there is no direct danger to the city, potential risks do exist. The mountains surrounding Almaty are home to glaciers, mountain lakes, and unstable slopes, which under certain conditions could trigger powerful mudflows.
Geophysicist Arman Sergazin recalled an incident in the Nauryzbai district where heavy rains led to flooding. He pointed to the problem with the Aksai dam, which was never completed and remains unfinished to this day.
However, rescuers urge Almaty residents not to panic. Mudflow protection specialists assert that mountain lakes are under constant monitoring throughout the hazardous period. Potentially problematic reservoirs are inspected from the air, and if necessary, water levels are lowered in advance.
Alisher Toktassyn, deputy head of the Almaty branch of the State Institution "Kazselezashchita," assured that the situation in the mountains is stable and under control. Potentially dangerous lakes are under continuous observation, and specialists are ready to lower water levels and clear evacuation channels in a timely manner.
The Nepalese tragedy has once again reminded us of the unpredictability of nature, but for Almaty, such a scenario is not even forecast at present.