The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in the Kherson region could have devastating consequences. Animations show where thousands of people are now threatened.
According to both warring parties, the adjacent hydroelectric power station was destroyed in the severe explosion at the Nowa Kachowka dam in southern Ukraine. The dam itself, which is close to the front line in the Russian-occupied part of the country, was badly damaged.
Kiev and Moscow blame each other for blowing up the dam. The consequences could be devastating. It is feared that there could be massive flooding in the contested region of Kherson.
“The extent of the destruction, the speed and volume of the water, and the likely areas of flooding are being determined,” said the region’s military governor, Olexander Prokudin.
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In the Russian-occupied part of the southern Ukrainian region of Cherson, the important Kakhovka dam was destroyed. The situation is critical, thousands of people are threatened.
Kiev and Moscow blamed each other for the potentially devastating incident on Tuesday morning.
This animation shows where the water masses could spread in the coming hours. Up to 80 towns are said to be exposed to an acute risk of flooding. According to the local authorities, around 22,000 people are likely to be affected, around 16,000 are in the “critical zone” at home. The evacuations are underway.
According to local authorities, the water level at the dam has already risen by more than ten meters. These recordings should prove that.
According to experts, in 15 to 20 hours the port and docks of Kherson are likely to be hit by a four to five meter high tidal wave.
Videos of the blown dam and flooded areas along the Dnipro circulated on Twitter early Tuesday morning.
Animations that show where the water masses will spread in the coming hours and which regions are directly threatened shouldcan you see it here or in the video above.
