ASTANA -- Heavy rains and melting snow have caused severe flooding in the Qaraghandy region on the steppe in central Kazakhstan.
The Central Asian nation's Emergency Department said on March 26 that dozens of residents had been evacuated from three five-storied apartment blocks in the town of Qarazhal, where streets, highways and buildings have been damaged.
It said dozens of apartment buildings and roads were threatened by flooding in the town of Atasu.
Rescue teams were evacuating residents and livestock from the villages of Burkutty, Qarakol, Mataq, and Aubakirov.
The floods also hit the town of Aghadyr, affecting the sewer system and Aghadyr-Ortau-Ospen highway.
No casualties were reported.