In Kazakhstan, drought and water shortages are forecasted for 2026

On January 13, Kazakhstan's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, shared negative forecasts regarding water supply in the country. Details were reported by Tengrinews.

According to Nurzhigitov, the upcoming growing season promises a significant decrease in water inflow to the rivers of the southern regions. Currently, the water reservoir levels in the upper reaches of the Syr Darya River in neighboring countries are 3.2 billion cubic meters lower compared to the same period last year. In the southern regions of Kazakhstan, the volume of water in the reservoirs has also decreased, amounting to 1.9 billion cubic meters as of January 12, 2026.

“This is our reality, caused by a reduction in precipitation during the autumn-winter period, a decrease in glacial runoff, and global climate changes. These processes have long-term consequences and require a comprehensive approach to adaptation,” the minister noted.

He also reported that preparatory work for the irrigation season of 2026 has already begun. Restoration work is underway on irrigation canals and hydraulic structures, and meetings with farmers are being held. “We are organizing explanatory events with agricultural producers on the topic of water conservation and transitioning to less water-intensive crops,” Nurzhigitov added.

In February 2026, the ministry plans to clarify water use limits based on the most negative scenario of water inflow. “In March, the Ministry of Agriculture will revise the structure of sown areas considering the current water situation,” he added.

Moreover, Nurzhigitov emphasized the need to combat illegal use of water resources. “Together with the General Prosecutor's Office, we have developed an action plan that includes the creation of a republican interdepartmental working group involving law enforcement agencies and other state structures,” he said.

Approaching Drought

In the past, Kazakhstan has already experienced serious consequences from drought. In the summer of 2025, farmers from the Turkestan region reported significant livestock losses due to severe drought in the Sozak district, which local residents had not seen for about 35 years. There was a shortage of grass in the pastures, leading to a sharp rise in feed prices. Local residents expressed concerns about livestock deaths and the potential worsening of the situation in winter.

In 2025, Kazakhstan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Erlan Nysanbaev, also warned of the likelihood of drought in several regions of the country. According to his forecasts, dry conditions are expected in the southern Kostanay, West Kazakhstan, Mangistau, Kyzylorda, Almaty, Zhambyl, and Karaganda regions, as well as in some areas of the Aktobe, Atyrau, Abai, and Turkestan regions.

Specialists from Kazhydromet noted that due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, increasingly dry phenomena will be observed in Kazakhstan, especially in the southern and western regions.