Mudflow protection dam handed over in Tuura-Suu to protect communities from debris flows
On 9 April, an official presentation and handover of a mudflow protection dam took place in the village of Tuura-Suu, Ton District, Issyk-Kul region, to a national partner to ensure its continued operation and sustainability. The event was held within the framework of the project “Reducing the vulnerability of populations in Central Asia to glacial lake outburst floods under changing climate conditions” (GLOFCA), implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office in Almaty with financial support from the Adaptation Fund.
Context
The village of Tuura-Suu is located in the Ton River basin, one of the pilot areas of the GLOFCA project, which is exposed to mudflow risks due to potentially dangerous high-mountain lakes and intense precipitation. The most recent major event occurred in August 2024, creating a risk of flooding to residential areas and infrastructure.
Handover and training activities
In response to these risks, the GLOFCA project, in cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, initiated construction of a mudflow-protection dam upstream of Tuura-Suu.
The structure diverts mudflows away from the settlement, reducing the risk to residential areas and protecting key infrastructure, including the Bishkek–Karakol highway.
The construction was carried out with the active support of locals and the involvement of the local administration. The handover of the dam to the national partner marks an important step in ensuring its long-term operation and sustainability.
As part of the event, a demonstration exercise by civil protection services of the Ton District was also held, involving medical, transport and other relevant services. During the exercise, each service demonstrated its actions in the event of a debris-flow-related emergency.
In addition, a training exercise was held at the Z. Altymyshbaev School in the village of Bokonbaevo, involving 413 students. During the exercise, an evacuation was carried out in response to a siren signal, after which an MES specialist conducted a briefing for the students.
The measures implemented in Tuura-Suu demonstrate a comprehensive approach that combines engineering solutions and community preparedness, contributing to enhanced safety and resilience for local communities.
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Mudflow protection dam handed over in Tuura-Suu to protect communities from debris flows
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