It's better where it doesn't flood

The village of Zarechny is located in the floodplain of the Ishim River. It is impossible to protect it with dams or other structures. From year to year, residents of the outskirts of Petropavlovsk anxiously awaited spring. Of course, their houses and plots were not flooded, but the roads were under water. Zarechny became an island for several weeks. But last year, it was also hidden by the waters of an unprecedented flood. A ferry was arranged for the residents of the village - at first they were transported by shift buses, then by motorboats. The locals had no other connection with the mainland.

Since 2017, floods in the North Kazakhstan region have become unpredictable. The state has begun to allocate considerable funds and efforts to save people and property. This year, they decided to put an end to it and resettle the residents of Zarechny to safe areas of the city. Two high-rise buildings are being built for them in Petropavlovsk.

- There are 151 apartments in the village, plus there are barracks. Most likely, most will want to move. In November, we plan to hand over 90 apartments. We started making appraisal reports on July 1. After the appraisal, we will talk to each owner of the dwelling individually, - said Serik MUKHAMEDIEV, Akim of Petropavlovsk.

One house is planned to be commissioned in November. They promise to take into account the wishes of people with disabilities and pensioners.

- 89 apartments will be purchased on the secondary market. In new buildings, everything depends on the square footage. We are making a gap of five square meters so that people have the opportunity to improve their living conditions, - added the city akim.

Now it is important for homeowners to get their paperwork in order in order to have time to receive their new property before next spring.

Svetlana DROZDETSKAYA, photo by the author, Petropavlovsk