In Central Asia, water deficits will increase and intensify in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, western Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan and extreme deficits will persist in central Kyrgyzstan. Surpluses are forecast for northern Kazakhstan and south of Lake Balkhash. In Russia, deficits will moderate in the Caucasus and North Caucasus. Severe deficits will increase along the Ural River around Orenburg. Surpluses are forecast along the Ob, Irtysh, and Ishim Rivers and the Upper Ob and Tom River Basins. Moderate surpluses are forecast for the Northern European Plain.
Central Asia & Russia: Water deficit forecast for Turkmenistan; surplus for Volga Basin
In the near-term water, surpluses reaching exceptional intensity will continue to emerge in Russia’s Volga River Basin and on the Ob, Vakh, and Tom Rivers, and in Aktobe, northern Kostanay, and western Akmola Regions, Kazakhstan. Exceptional deficits will increase in Yamal, Russia. Moderate to severe deficits are expected in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In the spring, Volga Basin surpluses should downgrade, though remain widespread. Surpluses will persist between the Tom and Yenisei Rivers, and along the Ob and Irtysh Rivers. Severe deficits will continue to emerge in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.