Kaktus.media recalled how such shutdowns occurred in the past and how this situation looks in neighboring cities.
Changes in Hot Water Shutdown Dates
Many residents of Bishkek remember that hot water used to be turned off strictly after the May holidays. In 2007, 2009, and 2010, the shutdown occurred on May 11. Although there were exceptions when hot water was unavailable earlier, for example, on May 6, 2019, and May 10, 2016.The shutdown dates shifted in 2024 when hot water was turned off in April, but it still happened at the end of the month, as it did last year.
In 2017, hot water was turned off on May 22, and in 2019 — from May 6 to June 3, which coincided with the month of Orozo.
Between 2021 and 2023, hot water supply was stopped in mid-May. The year 2024 was marked by an accident at the CHPP, which occurred on the night of February 1-2. As a result of the incident, five people were injured, and by February 5, heating in homes was restored. However, problems with the networks remained, which led to an extension of the hot water shutdown period.
Last year, the situation repeated itself: there was no hot water for 40 days. The head of the dispatch service "Bishkekteploset" Urmat Kubanychbek uulu explained this by the wear and tear of the networks, some of which have been in operation since 1965.
We extended the deadlines to prepare for the next heating season. There is a lot of work, and we cannot finish it in 30 days.The reason for such an early hot water shutdown this year remains unclear, and the city hall has not provided any comments. In their statement, they said that "during the autumn-winter period, all services operated in enhanced mode, ensuring uninterrupted heating supply." However, the question arises: if everything went well, why is the city left without hot water as early as April?
Comparison with Neighboring Cities
In Almaty, major facilities have the option to switch to other heating networks, which helps avoid shutdowns. In smaller boiler houses, hot water is turned off for the duration of repairs, but this takes no more than 2-3 weeks. All repair work is carried out from May to August.In Astana, hot water shutdowns usually begin at the end of the heating season (late April - early May) and last about 14 days. Water is turned off in separate sections, not throughout the entire city according to a schedule.
In Tashkent, from March 24 to May 1, 2026, tests of the main heating networks will be conducted, during which hot water will be turned off. However, the shutdowns will not affect the entire city: from March 24 to 31, there will be short-term shutdowns, and then there will be no water shutdowns in separate areas.
In Moscow, hot water is turned off for scheduled preventive maintenance for no more than 14 days from May to the end of August according to a pre-established schedule, which helps avoid mass shutdowns.
