Uzbekistan and Tajikistan don”t let the irrigation water to Kazakhstan, said chair of Committee on Water Resources of Agriculture Ministry Anatoly Ryabtcev during the press conference on July 18, reported Kazakhstan Today.Ryabtcev explained that Kazakhstan buy Kyrgyz electricity and Kyrgyzstan increases water flow from Toktogul reservoir in the size of 150 cubic meters per second for Kazakhstan. Uzbekistan should let this water volume for Kazakhstan according to the agreements. But these agreements are not accomplished.
“Kazakhstan has got 74.5 million kWh from Kyrgyzstan and paid US$ 3.937 million. But we didn”t get the irrigation water. Water flow from Toktogul reservoir has increased to 150 cubic meters per second for Kazakhstan, water distribution to Dostyk channel increased only to 10 cubic meters per second and made 35 cubic meters per second though it should make 85 cubic meters per second,” said Committee Chair.”Negotiations with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan officials, held on July 16, were inefficient. 80 cubic meters from purchased 150 cubic meters per second are stayed in Ferghana valley and don not flow to Kayrakum reservoir. Water flow from Kayrakum reservoir should increase to 75 cubic meters but it has increased to 5 cubic meters,” said Anatoly Ryabtcev.”We discussed this situation with Kazakh Prime Minister and made a decision to implement severe measures to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan if the situation will not change. We gave our Tajik and Uzbek partners the time till Monday. If water won”t flow to Dostyk channel, Kazakhstan stops to buy Kyrgyz electricity and water flow from Toktogul will reduce,” said Committee Chair.
“We had held consultations with energy experts and elaborated the plan of Kyrgyz electricity substitute. We will spend money which are allocated for purchasing of expensive Kyrgyz electricity, to compensation of cotton growers losses if the situation with irrigation water won”t change,” said Anatoly Ryabtcev.
