Inflow into Orto-Tokoi reservoir is very low this year

12:21, 15 августа 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Gulmira Makanbai kyzy

The inflow into Orto-Tokoi reservoir is very low this year. Press service of the Water Resources Service of Kyrgyzstan reported.

The agency commented on the pictures of an eco-activist and photojournalist Vladislav Ushakov. As noted, there is practically no water in the reservoir now.

The head of the Water Resources Service, Almazbek Sokeyev, noted that the inflow into Orto-Tokoi reservoir is very low in 2023.

«Even in 2021 we had 360 million cubic meters of water, and this year we have 250 million cubic meters. At the moment, it is difficult to predict a low water period. Kyrgyzstan — the country rich in water resources, as has been claimed all these years — is facing a water shortage,» the official said.

According to Almazbek Sokeyev, in order to solve problems with irrigation water, it is necessary:

• Restore irrigation channels, and line them to reduce losses and increase the rate of water supply;
• Build ten-day regulation pools;
• Maintain water records.

«We need to find out how much we take from sources and how much we give to farmers. To do this, it is necessary to install water accounting sensors and conduct satellite sounding, manage water resources from the control room. This means automating the water accounting system. The longest process is attraction of investments, signing and ratification of agreements. It takes more than three yearsж construction and rehabilitation — two or three years,» Almazbek Sokeyev said.