DEPARTMENT OF HYDROLOGICAL EXTREME EVENTS

Brief history of the laboratory:

Within the structure of JSC «Institute of Geography and Water Security» the Laboratory of Extreme Hydrological Phenomena was established on 5 January 2025 on the basis of the Water Resources Laboratory. The establishment of the laboratory was dictated by the increasing risks associated with extreme (dangerous) hydrological phenomena, which pose a serious threat to the life of the population, economic objects and the environment.

Climatic changes and anthropogenic activities contribute to an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events such as floods and droughts, leading to an increase in the number of emergencies. Assessment, forecasting and management of extreme hydrological phenomena such as droughts and floods are important tasks aimed at ensuring public safety, reducing risks to life and health of people living in areas prone to these phenomena. The special significance of research on the occurrence of extreme hydrological events is due to their high relevance for countries with limited water resources. Climate change and intensification of anthropogenic activities increase the scale and frequency of these phenomena, which requires the development of scientifically-based methods for their study and prevention.

Main areas of scientific researches:

• study of processes forming extreme hydrological phenomena;
• use of modern methods and approaches in assessing extreme hydrological phenomena (hydrological models, climatic models, use of remote sensing data, etc.)
• assessment of the dynamics of changes in the characteristics of hydrological hazards in relation to the changing climate and the increased impact of economic activities;
• development and improvement of scientific methods for assessment and scenario forecasting of extreme hydrological phenomena;
• science-based adaptation measures for effective water resources management.

Staff:

The laboratory currently employs 11 researchers: including one doctor of geographical sciences, one candidate of geographical sciences, one PhD, four researchers, two junior researchers, two leading engineers, two employees of the laboratory are studying in the doctoral programme «Hydrology», Faculty of Geography and Nature Management of KazNU named after Al-Farabi.

Modern Technical Equipment of the Laboratory:

• Surveying and Geodetic Equipment: Digital theodolite NIKON Ni-103, optical level SAL 32ND, level-theodolite NT-500, laser rangefinder Leica Disto D5.
• Hydrological and Meteorological Equipment: Acoustic Doppler current profiler RioGrande WRZH 1200, weather station Davis Vantage 6250.
• Transport and Field Expedition Equipment: Boats Wellboat-46 and Wellboat-47, outboard motors: YAMAHA 40, HONDA BF15SHD; off-road vehicles: Mitsubishi L200-IV, Toyota Tundra, Hilux.
• Aerial Surveying and Monitoring: UAVs/drones DJI Phantom 4 Pro, Autel EVO II Pro V3 Rugged.
• Field Gear and Supplies: Tents, sleeping pads, life jackets, protective clothing, and other necessary expedition equipment.

Main publications:

1. Davletgaliev S.K., Alimkulov S.K., Talipova E.K. The possibility to applying simulated series for compile scenario forecasting river runoff. Environmental Earth Sciences. Volume 79, Issue 16, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-09138-5
2. Talipova E.K., Nyssanbayeva A. S., Shrestha S. Regional climate change in the Ile River Basin. ISSN 1563-0234 Journal of Geography and Environmental Management. № 2 (53) – 2019.
3. Moldakhanova N., Alimkulov S., Smagulov Zh. Analysis of Changes in the Ecological Space of the Ili River Delta (due to Reduced Flow of the Ili River) // Evergreen, Transdisciplinary Research and Education Center for Green Technologies, Kyushu University. – 2023. – Vol.10 (Issue 1). – P.29-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5109/6781031 (CiteScore 3.9, процентиль 60, SJR 0.357, Q3).
4. Talipova, E., Shrestha, S., Alimkulov, S., Nyssanbayeva A., Tursunova, A., Isakan, G. Influence of climate change and anthropogenic factors on the Ile River basin streamflow, Kazakhstan // Arabian Journal of Geosciences 14(17), 1756 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08152-6 (CiteScore 2,1, процентиль 55, SJR 0,42, Q2).
5. Dostay Zh., Alimkulov S., Myrzakhmetov A. Modern state of the wetland ecosystem of the Ili river delta // International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology. (ISRAJIF 0.537). – 2017. – Vol. 4. – Issue 10. – P. 4730-4741. http://www.ijarset.com/volume-4-issue-10-october-2017.html
6. Alimkulov S., Dostay Zh., Myrzakhmetov A. The role of climate change in the water regime of rivers in south-east of Kazakhstan // International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology. (ISRAJIF 0.537) – October 2017. - Vol. 4, Issue 10. – P. 4748-4760. http://www.ijarset.com/volume-4-issue-10-october-2017.html
7. Salnikov V., Turulina G., Polyakova S., Moldahmetov M., Makhmudova L. (2013). Climatic variations of general atmospheric circulation,precipitation and river flow of the territory of Kazakhstan. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions. 5. 109. 10.3724/SP.J.1226.2013.00109.
8.  Makhmudova L., Kozykeyeva A., Kambarbekov G., Karimova G., Zhulkainarova M. Hydrological bases of water resources management of the rivers of Northern Kazakhstan, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Volume 256, 2023, 104182, ISSN 0169-7722, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2023.104182.
9.  Sayat Alimkulov, Lyazzat Makhmudova, E. K. Talipova, Gaukhar Baspakova, Dimitris Tigkas, Isakan Gulsaira; Response of the water level of the Balkash Lake to the distribution of meteorological and hydrological droughts under the conditions of climate change. Journal of Water and Climate Change 1 July 2024; 15 (7): 3395–3408. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2024.271
10. Talipova Elmira, Makhmudova Lyazzat, Baspakova Gaukhar, Monkayeva Gulsara Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on the Intensity and Recurrence of Droughts in the Southern Balkhash Region, Kazakhstan // International Scientific-Practical Conference « International Conference on Contemporary Asian Studies» June 19-20, 2024 Berlin, Germany Р. 21-22.
11.  Birimbayeva L, Makhmudova L, Alimkulov S, Tursunova A, Mussina A, Tigkas D, Beksultanova Z, Rodrigo-Clavero M-E, Rodrigo-Ilarri J. Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Variability of Hydrological Drought Regimes in the Lowland Rivers of Kazakhstan. Water. 2024; 16(16):2316. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16162316
12. Alimkulov Sayat, Makhmudova Lyazzat, Talipova Elmira, Baspakova Gaukhar, Monkayeva Gulsara Assessment of the impacts of climate change on drought intensity and frequency using SPI and SPEI in the Southern Pre-Balkash region, Kazakhstan, Watershed Ecology and the Environment, Volume 7, 2025, Pages 11-22, ISSN 2589-4714, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsee.2024.12.001.
13. Kulebayev, K.M.; Alimkulov, S.K.; Tursunova, A.A.; Makhmudova, L.K.; Talipova, E.K.; Saparova, A.A.; Rodrigo-Clavero, M.-E.; Rodrigo-Ilarri, J. Assessing the Vulnerability of Lakes in Western Kazakhstan to Climate Change and Anthropogenic Stressors. Water 2024, 16, 3709. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243709
14. Smagulov Zhanibek, Makhmudova Lyazzat, Sayat Alimkulov, E. Talipova, Zagidullina Alfiya, Birimbayeva Lyazzat, Sailaubek Akgulim; Transformation of seasonal distribution of river flow in the Zhaiyk–Caspian water basin under changing climate conditions. Journal of Water and Climate Change 2024; jwc2024537. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2024.537