Seven individuals lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Kazakhstan.

Snowstorms and Blizzards Sweep Across Northern Kazakhstan

Over the past 24 hours, northern Kazakhstan has been hit by severe blizzards and snowstorms, causing disruptions and accidents across the region. Kazhydromet, the country's weather service, has announced that temperatures will rise slightly over the next three days, but the extreme winter weather has already taken its toll.

In the north, specific information about the exact regions affected by the severe weather is not detailed in the provided sources. However, northern Kazakhstan is known for its harsh winter conditions, with temperatures dropping below -30°C and strong winds leading to severe snow conditions. Over 400 units of equipment have been deployed in five regions - Akmolinsk, Karagandy, Pavlodar, Kostanay, and North Kazakhstan - to tackle the harsh weather.

The severe conditions have resulted in numerous road incidents. The number of accidents has risen to 35 in just two days, and fifty people have sustained various injuries. One of the most serious accidents occurred on the paid road "Nur-Sultan - Temirtau," where a Kamaz truck collided with a car, causing a chain reaction involving 11 other vehicles. Tragically, seven people have died in these accidents over the past few days.

Poor visibility, speeding, and drivers not maintaining a safe distance have been identified as the main causes of these accidents. Nurdilda Oraz, an official representative of the MVD of Kazakhstan, urged drivers not to ignore weather warnings and road closures.

In the south and west, blizzards, fog, and wind gusts are expected. Movement was restricted in the five regions mentioned earlier, but all roads in these areas are now open.

The severe weather has also disrupted air travel. Four delays were reported for Air Astana and Fly Arystan arrivals, and minor delays of around 40 minutes were experienced for Skat and Air Astana departures. A flight from Atyrau to Almaty was delayed by more than 6 hours.

Despite the disruptions, miraculously, no one was injured when flights were delayed or roads closed, and some residential buildings in the capital had their facades fall off. However, one person sustained serious injuries as a result of a collision on the paid road "Nur-Sultan - Temirtau."

Looking ahead, Kazhydromet predicts that snow is expected in many regions on January 14 and 15. The police have already rescued over 30 vehicles from snowdrifts, and it is hoped that with the rising temperatures, the worst of the winter weather will pass soon.