Fatal landslides and widespread flooding strike Kyrgyzstan amid heavy rainfall

Since April 20, 2024, severe weather conditions have triggered numerous landslides and floods across Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Talas regions in Kyrgyzstan, resulting in at least one fatality and the evacuation of hundreds. The government has declared emergency situations in several affected areas.

The southern and eastern regions of Kyrgyzstan have been severely affected by continuous heavy rainfall, which has caused multiple landslides and extensive flooding. The most severely impacted areas include the regions of Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Talas, where significant damage and one confirmed fatality have been reported.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations has registered 46 mudflows in Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken, and Talas between April 20 and April 23. In response to the escalating situation, emergency declarations have been made in specific localities of Osh, Jalal-Abad (Nooken district), and Talas, though not encompassing the entire regions.

Local authorities and civil protection units are currently assessing the material damages caused by these events. Myrzabek Toktosunov, Deputy Head of the Civil Protection Department, emphasized the unpredictability of these natural disasters, noting the regular issuance of weather alerts over the past five years but acknowledging the difficulty in predicting specific mudflow occurrences.

In terms of human impact, a landslide on April 20 resulted in one fatality. Additionally, the Jalal-Abad Region saw approximately 300 families evacuated due to mudslide threats. The Osh Region has also experienced significant evacuations following the floods.

Infrastructure has also been affected; mudflows have disrupted the 510^th kilometer of the Bishkek — Osh road, further complicating response and recovery efforts. Over 500 individuals, including local volunteers, are involved in ongoing emergency operations across the affected areas.

Further complications arose on April 24 in the Chui region, where another mudflow was reported. The Burana River’s rising water levels have heightened the risk of further flooding, impacting agricultural fields in S. Ibraimov aiyl aimak and residential areas in Kichi-Kemin village. Emergency teams have been deployed to Orlovka where there is a noted threat to residential buildings.

Moderate rainfall is forecasted to continue over the next 24 hours across most parts of Kyrgyzstan.

References:

¹ More than 40 mudflows occur in Kyrgyzstan for four days – 24.kg – April 23, 2024

² Emergency situation declared in Jalal-Abad and Talas regions due to mudflows – 24.kg – April 23, 2024

³ Mudflow registered in Chui region, Burana river burst its banks – 24.kg – April 24, 2024

⁴ Kyrgyzstan – Landslides and Floods – DG ECHO – April 24, 2024

Featured image credit: Turmush (stillshot)