Kazakhstan among top countries suffering water stress

AKIPRESS.COM - A river flow is decreasing in Kazakhstan every year and only a slight more than a half of water resourses are formed on the territory of the country, Sputnik Kazakhstan reports.
According to the Geography Institute, a shortage of water supply is observed in Kazakhstan every year.
To date, the country entered the list of countries that face a high water stress, a member of the committee on international relations, defense and security of the Senate Kairat Kozhomzharov said.
"According to the research of the institute of world resourses, almost 2 billion people live in the areas with the water deficit today. 68 countries suffer a high water stress. Among them is our country," he said at the parliamentary hearing of the Senate.
He said that the total runoff of water in 1960s was 120 cubic km, but now it is reduced up to 101 cubic km.
By 2020, the river flow might decrease up to 80, and by 2030 - 72 cubic km.
"This is due to the growing needs of the population and economic sectors," he noted.
According to the parliamentarian, the World Bank says that by 2050 the decrease of GDP will be 6% due to the water deficit in the regions of the country. At a moment, only 56% of water resourses are formed locally in Kazakhstan, and 44% - from transnational rivers.