Southern regions of Kazakhstan are gripped by an extreme heatwave, with thermometers in the shade reaching 45°C in Taraz and nearly 50°C in some parts of Shymkent. Locals are keeping their spirits up by frying eggs on the sun-scorched pavement and thanking emergency services for their help, reports infohub.kz.
Firefighters, police, and utility workers have taken to the streets and courtyards, spraying water to cool the air and handing out ice cream to residents. Doctors urge caution: high temperatures are especially dangerous for pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
“In extreme heat, the risk groups are primarily pregnant women, children, adults, and patients with vascular, pulmonary, or lung diseases. The key is to stay in cool places as much as possible and drink plenty of warm water. One major point is not to leave children or adults in cars during the heat,” said Serik Bagibayev, deputy chief physician of the Zhambyl Regional Hospital.
No serious consequences from the heat have been reported so far. In Kyzylorda, residents demonstrated that an omelet can be cooked in the blazing sun. In the capital Astana, a brief maximum of 36.8°C was recorded.
According to Ardak Kalmenova, head of short-term forecasts at Kazhydromet, strong heat will persist in the coming days across Turkistan, Kyzylorda, Zhambyl, Almaty, Mangystau, and Zhetisu regions. “The highest temperatures are expected in the Turkistan region, with forecasts of 46-48°C – very severe heat,” a Kazhydromet representative said.