Weather apocalypse in Astana: Footage the whole city is discussing today
A heavy rainstorm, accompanied by hurricane-force winds and localized hail, slammed into the capital this afternoon.
It all happened rapidly: pedestrians caught on the streets were blindsided by the sudden storm, scrambling for cover wherever they could find it.
Those who couldn't find shelter in time were forced to run for their lives.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
Shortly after the "apocalypse" began, Tengrinews.kz readers began reporting power outages in various parts of the city.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
The Astana-REC press service told our correspondent that the severe wind and rain caused emergency shutdowns in several areas. Parts of the Yugo-Vostok district (Right Bank) and the Promyshlenny settlement were left without power.
"Backup power schemes are provided for most consumers, and some subscribers have already been reconnected. Astana-REC emergency crews are working on-site. Specialists are inspecting power lines and equipment, repairing damage, and restoring the electricity supply," the company stated.
The utility provider also assured that power engineers are working in high-alert mode and are doing everything possible to restore electricity to all consumers as quickly as possible.
Winds topple fences and trees
Recently, a post about the Silk Way City shopping mall on Tauelsizdik Avenue went viral due to a grammatical error in its signage, which was later covered with a plastic bag. Today, hurricane-force winds knocked the mall's fence directly onto cars parked nearby.
Several trees also succumbed to the severe weather.
A city underwater
A quick search for "Astana" on social media reveals dozens of posts showing drivers and pedestrians practically swimming through the city streets.
Some were particularly unfortunate today: their vehicles were almost completely submerged. In a desperate bid to escape, drivers and passengers were seen climbing onto their car roofs.
Issues with Astana's storm drains have been a topic of debate for years. Every time heavy rain hits, the same areas suffer: Tauelsizdik and Momyshuly avenues, as well as Koshkarbayev and Tokpanov streets.
This time, Kaldayakov and Nazhimedenov streets, along with parts of the Left Bank, were also heavily flooded.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
Come rain or shine, life goes on. That is the resilient spirit of Astana's residents.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
Stranded in the middle of a sudden "Venice," people were seen stepping out of their cars and removing their shoes. Some perhaps even swapped their footwear for rubber boots or flippers...
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev...as they collectively brainstormed how to escape the deluge.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
Some were caught by the "big water" while still inside city buses.
According to the capital's health department, no one has yet sought medical assistance following the storm. However, looking at the footage, that is hard to believe; at the very least, some might need a therapist after the shock.
Several residential complexes in Astana also found themselves "in deep water."
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This is how traffic police operated under the grueling weather conditions.
The official response from the Akimat
According to the Astana Akimat, municipal services are working in high-alert mode due to heavy, at times torrential, rainfall. Storm drains and treatment facilities are currently processing a massive volume of water.
City administration officials stated that "temporary flooding" occurred in certain areas. On average, the storm drainage system manages to clear such volumes within 40–60 minutes after the heavy rain stops.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
The Akimat also noted that utility services regularly clean collectors and catch basins, flush pipes, and are continuously building new sections of storm sewers and treatment plants.
Judging by the footage from the scene, municipal workers and emergency responders are indeed working at full capacity.
Photo: Tengrinews.kz/ Nurlan Alzhabayev
According to meteorologists, rains in Astana are expected to continue in the coming days, accompanied by thunderstorms and variable cloud cover.
The precipitation is expected to cease only by July 26.