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Kazakhstanis marked February 19th with a series of notable events, from the potential introduction of a new public holiday to record-breaking warmth in Almaty and a structural collapse in Balkhash.

Potential for a New Public Holiday

The date for celebrating Constitution Day in Kazakhstan might be set for a change. If a new fundamental law is approved via referendum, Constitution Day could be observed on March 15th instead of August 30th. Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev announced this possibility, highlighting a significant shift in national commemoration.

Almaty Shatters Temperature Records

Almaty recorded an unprecedented high of +23 degrees Celsius on February 19th, surpassing all previous records for the month. This remarkable warmth significantly exceeded the prior February record of 16.3 degrees Celsius set in 2021, with meteorologists classifying it as a historic event.

Earth Tremors Felt in Almaty Region

Residents in the Almaty region felt the effects of an earthquake on February 19th. The Euro-Mediterannean Seismological Centre reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 located 317 kilometers southeast of Almaty. The Ministry of Emergency Situations specified the epicenter was near the Kyrgyzstan-China border, with a magnitude of 5.3.

Building Section Collapses in Balkhash

A section of a five-story residential building located at 10 Karaganda bi Street in Balkhash city collapsed. According to the city administration, the affected entrance was uninhabited and not in use. Crucially, residents from this entrance had already been relocated to other apartments prior to the incident, preventing any casualties.

This information was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.