[Summary translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

Uch-Kurgan HPP may stop its work, 2 October 2014

The Uch-Kurgan HPP...is currently operating on a direct flow of water coming from the Shamaldy-Sai HPP. This is reported by an independent expert Rasul Umbetaliyev.

According to him, during the operation of the reservoir, it was almost completely silted up and islands of land appeared on the surface of the water, sprouted with grass and reeds.

Water collectors are formed in the body of the reservoir dam to provide drinking water to the residents of the Shamaldy-Sai village. Due to sand and clay silting of these catchment areas, the population uses untreated and dirty water.

The expert warns that if the reservoir is not cleaned up in the next 2-3 years, then due to a sharp increase in the water level, overflow may occur towards the village with flooding of residential buildings, industrial premises and a complete stop of the operation of the hydroelectric units of the Uch-Kurgan HPP.