In Petropavlovsk, a phased relocation of residents from the Zarechny district, which regularly suffers from floods due to its proximity to the Ishim River, has begun. In the future, the area is planned to be completely cleared of residential buildings, reports infohub.kz.
One of the first to receive new housing was 72-year-old Yevgeniya Shelutkova, who had lived in Zarechny for over 30 years. She will now move into a new two-bedroom apartment.
"It's so nerve-wracking, you worry in advance: what the water will be like, what will happen, how it will flood. Of course, we wait for spring with great anxiety. Now this won't affect us anymore. Now we'll live in peace," said Petropavlovsk resident Yevgeniya Shelutkova.
A second multi-story building has already been built for the relocated residents. The first building with 90 apartments was commissioned last year. Now another 72 families will receive new housing.
Another resident of the district, Uazipa Uvaisova, noted that severe floods in Zarechny occurred in 2017 and 2024. According to her, every spring residents awaited the rising water with alarm.
In total, 266 families live in the district. Just over ten of them have refused to relocate. The process is being carried out in stages, and in the near future the authorities plan to begin construction of another residential building.
Petropavlovsk Mayor Serik Mukhamediyev said that private houses and barracks will be demolished after resettlement. Three-story buildings are planned to be kept for about another one to two years.
"For now, we are providing these houses to people in dire need as temporary housing so they can save up money. But overall, we will gradually clear the settlement," Mukhamediyev stated.
The Zarechny district is located on the outskirts of Petropavlovsk along the Ishim River. In addition to residential and social facilities, there is a correctional institution. In the future, the colony is also planned to be moved to another location.