Astana grinds to a halt as record snowstorm cripples Kazakhstan’s capital
A heavy snowstorm has paralysed Astana, bringing the city to a near standstill. Roads are clogged with traffic, and commuters face extreme delays as snow continues to fall. Authorities have scrambled to respond with over 1,200 snowplows and specialised vehicles working to clear the chaos in Kazakhstan.
Forecasters had already warned of extreme cold from December 9, with temperatures plummeting further between December 10 and 12. The sudden snowfall caught many off guard, leading to gridlock across nearly every district.
Traffic congestion has reached record levels, turning even short trips into lengthy ordeals. A 700-metre taxi ride now costs 2,290 tenge—almost three times the usual fare. Meanwhile, a journey from the train station to the airport has jumped to 6,000 tenge.
Frustrated residents have taken to social media, complaining about the endless jams. Some have even joked about selling their cars just to skip the queues on foot. The mayor of Astana was briefed on emergency measures, but no official name has been released in connection with the response efforts.
The city remains under strain as crews battle to restore normal traffic flow. With extreme cold setting in, the situation could worsen before conditions improve. For now, commuters are bracing for more delays and inflated travel costs due to the cold symptoms.
