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Turkestan region

Mirages of Turkestan Region – will artificial rain save the southern agricultural sector?

Mirages of Turkestan Region – will artificial rain save the southern agricultural sector?

An ambitious rain enhancement project has launched in Turkestan region with UAE engineers, promising more rainfall, reservoir replenishment, and annual crop growth worth billions.

An alarming start to 2026: water reserves in the Shardara Reservoir are significantly lower than last year's levels.

An alarming start to 2026: water reserves in the Shardara Reservoir are significantly lower than last year's levels.

As of January 2026, the Shardara Reservoir is only 79% full, compared to 98.6% in January 2025. The drop is due to reduced autumn-winter inflow. Without increased spring runoff, water shortages are expected.

"Negative growth" of runoff: The South of Kazakhstan risks being left without water in the 2026 season

"Negative growth" of runoff: The South of Kazakhstan risks being left without water in the 2026 season

While officials seek softer wording in reports, satellite data reveals a troubling trend: the 2025–2026 winter shows critically low moisture levels, threatening food security in southern regions.