The prime ministers of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Abdulla Aripov and Askar Mamin, launched the construction of a new block in the village of Myrzakent, Maktaaral district of the Turkestan province in Kazakhstan, the press service of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.

The Heads of Government examined the flooded areas of Maktaaral district, and also visited the villages of Nurlyzhol, Orgebas and Firdousi, Zhanazhol rural district, where they got acquainted with the ongoing work to eliminate the effects of the flood.

More than 1300 people and 220 pieces of equipment, including more than 200 specialists and about 100 fire fighting equipment, excavators, tractors, water pumps and other technical equipment from Uzbekistan, are involved in the flood aftermath operations.

In the administrative center of Maktaaral district - Myrzakent settlement - the prime ministers familiarized themselves with the new block construction plan, met with locals and took part in the foundation laying ceremony for the first residential buildings.

In total, in Myrzakent village, it is planned to build houses, a school, a kindergarten and medical assistant points for 500 families of Zhenis, Zhanaturmys and Dostyk villages, affected by the flood. Construction work will be carried out jointly by the forces of the two countries.

Aripov and Mamin also inspected the progress of reconstruction of the destroyed houses in the village of Firdousi and met with local residents.

On May 1, due to the collapse of a part of the Sardoba reservoir dam and the discharge of water to lower the level in the reservoir, border collectors of the Maktaaral district of the Turkestan province of Kazakhstan were inundated with water. Due to the huge excess of water, the water sp0lit over and led to flooding.