Kazakhstan, Europe & Central Asia | Cold Wave: Simplified Early Action Protocol (EAP No: EAP2022KZ01 / MDRTJ033)

RISK ANALYSIS

Prioritized hazard and its historical impact.

Due to its remoteness from the ocean, Kazakhstan experiences an extreme continental climate, with long, hot summers and cold winters. Winter in the north of the country is long and cold – in some years temperatures reached - 52°C (Astana) – but there are also thaws up to +5°C. The shortest season in the north is spring, which lasts for 1.5 months, while summer lasts for 3 months and winter extends from October to April. Snow primarily falls in November but can continue through April.

The worst cold waves with serious consequences happened in December 2012-January 2013 as freezing temperatures reaching minus 40-46 degrees Celsius hit Kazakhstan. As a result of low temperatures and heavy snowfall there were power and hot-water supply disruptions in various localities of northern, eastern and central parts of the country. Over 5,000 people – stranded truck drivers, residents, homeless people and street children – were affected by severe frosts and resulting hot-water pipe and electricity systems breakdowns and heating interruptions in these geographic areas.

In January 2018 the temperature in several regions of Kazakhstan went below -29С during the daytime and -34С at night and was accompanied with blizzards, high winds and heavy snowstorms. According to the Ministry of Health, 223 people were registered with the hyperthermia by the health facilities, among which 73 people were hospitalized. Highways in 8 regions were closed, MoES rescue teams evacuated 338 people from snowdrifts, including 15 children. About 30 homeless people were delivered to the shelters. About 30 houses in the Northern Kazakhstan oblast, Petropavlovsk were left without drinking water due to the frozen water pipes.

In January 2021, 11 people received frostbites and hyperthermia and were hospitalized in Semey due to the cold wave (temperature went down up to -42 C).

In the beginning of February 2021, in Kostanay region, two people became victims of low temperatures (below - 35 C) - two women received severe frostbite and died in Denisovsky and Auliekolsky districts, 14 people were hospitalized (12 through with the ambulance) in Astana city, several trains and flights were cancelled.

Extreme winters in Kazakhstan are not only characterized by low temperatures but also by heavy snowstorms and strong winds that obstruct access to food and health services for the most vulnerable groups of population such as homeless people (including street children), people with special needs, older people living alone and single parents. Sometimes entire communities in remote rural areas are cut from major towns and cities because of snow wreaths that block roads.

Every winter about 3,000 people need rescue from snowstorms on the roads, hundreds of trucks and passenger vehicles, means of public transport are dug out and towed. Early actions are required in order to prevent hypothermia that can lead to health problems.

Prioritized risks to be addressed by the early actions and their link to the hazard:

1. Risk of Hypothermia or dangerous overcooling is one the main health risks during extreme cold weather conditions that leads to weakening of immune system, cold/respiratory diseases or other serious health issues.

2. Increased risk of food insecurity exists among the most vulnerable because of limited or no access to food items (no money for food, severe weather conditions). Many homeless do not have regular income source, their daily income depends on soliciting money, collecting bottles and iron staff, loading/unloading of goods and other physical job. During the cold waves those opportunities are not available because of absence of proper warm clothes, shoes and there is no need in their services due to the low activities. Lack of access to a proper diet increases a chance of sickness and may lead to the death.

3. Risk of injuries or death. Strong wind and slippery roads present a threat to health of older people living alone and single mothers with little children, people with special needs: many winter-weather injuries result from falls on ice-covered sidewalks, steps, driveways and porches. Delivering the hot meal to the most vulnerable will prevent them from injuries they might receive getting outside as well as improve their diet. During the winter months, people increase utilities expenditures for heating which leads to the reduced food expenditures.

4. Every winter about 3,000 people need rescue from snowstorms on the roads, hundreds of trucks and passenger vehicles, public transport are dug out and towed. All vehicles (long trucks, public interregional transportation, cars) which use diesel are very often get stuck on the roads in the steppes because of the frozen fuel. Drivers and passengers will be informed about road safety, possible cold weather injuries, FA and warm-up shelters. The information will be disseminated through the social media, leaflets at the gas stations and at the exits from the cities when the alerts are received. To prevent transit drivers and passengers from hyperthermia and other accidents on the roads, they will be offered to overcome extreme temperatures at the warm-up shelters where they will be provided with hot meal. Facilities for the warm-up shelters are provided by the local authorities, drivers of the long-distance vehicles stay it the private shelters on their own money.