Kazakhstan, Astana, Jan. 14 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
Around 500 servicemen are involved in dealing with the consequences of a disaster in the Zhambyl region (southern Kazakhstan), the Kazakh Ministry of Defence said today.
'After receiving information about the disaster, fighting vehicles designed for providing the population with fuel, food and drinking water were sent from Taraz to Karatau and Zhanatas', the statement said. 'Those people have been left without electricity, heat, gas and water. Vehicles, retrievers, trucks and other special equipment are also operating in the area'.
The power failure occurred in the Sarisu, Zhualyn and Talas districts of the Zhambyl region due to a sharp deterioration in weather conditions on Jan. 12. For this reason, on January 12, 2013 the central boiler in Karatau stopped working. A concrete chimney with a height of 60 metres on the boiler collapsed. As a result, the central water supply was stopped.
According to the ministry, a government commission which travelled to the Zhambyl region included the First Deputy Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Kazakh Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Nurlan Julamanov. At present, commander of the South Regional Command, Major General Talgat Koybakov is at the damaged site. He controls the work carried out by the servicemen and repair work is underway.