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A thermometer displaying a scorching temperature close to 40°C. / Courtesy of Getty Images Bank

The capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, has shattered its June temperature record for the first time in 85 years, as heatwave damage spreads nationwide. Analysis suggests that this anomalous climate is exerting a severe impact on daily life and across various industries, triggering road deformation, droughts, and heightened wildfire risks.

According to Kazhydromet, the national meteorological service of Kazakhstan, on the 24th (local time), the daytime high in Astana reached 36.8°C the previous day, breaking the record high for June since 1941.

This heatwave was not confined to the capital region. Due to a hot and dry airflow sweeping in from Uzbekistan, sweltering heat around 40°C is persisting in the southern and eastern regions.

As the inflow of high temperatures and high pressure systems hit the south and east, a relative low-pressure system formed over the northern and central regions, which consequently triggered severe damage from heavy showers, hail, sudden gusts, and power outages. Heavy rain and strong wind warnings were also issued in certain areas.

The extreme heat is translating into tangible damage. On the highway leading from the southern city of Shymkent to the Uzbek border, the blistering heat caused deformation and destruction of the concrete pavement.

The same phenomenon occurred on the highway connecting the capital, Astana, to Shchuchinsk in the north. Road management authorities have completed emergency repairs and are intensifying inspections on concrete pavement sections during the summer season.

The agricultural sector has also been put on high alert. Warning that a continued lack of rainfall due to the heatwave could severely impact crop growth, pastures, and hay production, the weather agency issued drought advisories for major agricultural regions, including East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Karaganda, Abai, Turkistan, and Kyzylorda.

The risk of wildfires is rising as well. In East Kazakhstan, a Level 5 wildfire warning—the highest level—has been issued, and the past three weeks of extreme heat and lack of precipitation have sparked 15 wildfires and 38 pasture fires. Firefighting operations are still underway in some protected reserves.

Experts warned that compounding disaster patterns, where heatwaves, droughts, and localized torrential rains recur due to climate change, are becoming established as a new climate risk. Accordingly, they pointed out that the resulting damage to infrastructure, including roads, power grids, and agriculture, as well as overall food production, could grow even larger.

                                                                                                             Kim Min-kyu