Water from the reservoir of the Kakhovka dam is also used to cool the nearby Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (ZNPP), Europe’s largest, which has been under constant threat since it was occupied by Russian forces early in the year. conflict.
The United Nations office in Ukraine tweeted that “thousands of people in Ukraine are in danger” following the collapse of a massive dam and the Soviet-era Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, on the country’s largest river, the Dnipro, in the east south, with video showing fast-moving water. waterfall flows through.
‘Devastating consequences’
UN Secretary General António Guterres, speaking to reporters in New York outside Security Council that the United Nations does not have access to independent information to verify how the disaster happened.
“But one thing is clear: this is another devastating consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” he said, whose effects are being seen in dozens of towns and cities along the way. Dnipro river.
He said at least 16,000 people have lost their homes, while ensuring that the United Nations and its partners are rushing to provide support to affected areas, including drinking water, filter tablets, “and other support. other importance”.
Tragedy, he said, “is another example of the terrible cost of war to mankind. The flood of suffering that has been flooding in for more than a year has to stop”, along with all attacks on civilians and infrastructure.
“Above all, I call for a just peace, in accordance with unchartedinternational law and resolutions of the General Assembly,” he concluded.
The Ukrainian and Russian governments blame each other for launching an attack on a facility that is – according to reports – under Russian control, to the south and east of the river, while Ukrainian forces control it. territorial control along the opposite shore.
Thousands of people have been evacuated, with towns downstream inundated.
piling up misery
long-term,”more at risk of becoming homeless and in despairexacerbating the misery facing Ukrainians in the wake of Russia’s all-out aggression,” the United Nations Office said.
In a tweet, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, said he stands in solidarity with those affected by the disaster in the Kherson area, adding that “the targeted attacks cause damage long-term and serious harm to the natural environment, is a war crime.”
Secretary General António Guterres (at the podium) informs reporters about the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in Ukraine.
UN human rights office, OHCHRsays civilians’ rights to housing, health and livelihoods, along with access to clean water and a healthy environment, are all at risk, calls for a policy full disaster investigation and accountability.
nuclear plant concern
According to the United Nations nuclear watchdog, IAEAdamage to the dam resulted in a Reservoir water levels drop “significantly” provide ZNPP.
IAEA Director Rafael Grossi warned that “the long-term lack of cooling water in essential cooling water systems will melt the fuel and shut down the plant’s emergency diesel generators“.
‘No immediate risk’
While there was there is no “immediate risk” to plant safetyas the supply of cooling water from the reservoir “will last for several days”, agency supervisors present in Zaporizhzhya, which is occupied by Russia but operated by Ukrainian civilians, continue to closely monitor the rate of decrease of reservoir water level.
Grossi also said that a “large cooling pond” next to the ZNPP has the potential to provide an alternative water source, which Ukrainian authorities later confirmed, according to news reports. But he stressed that it was “important” that the cooling pond remained intact.
‘Severe and far-reaching consequences for thousands’: UN aid mission chief before Security Council
“The magnitude of the disaster” in Kherson will only become apparent in the coming days, said UN aid director Martin Griffiths. report to the Security Council in an emergency session Tuesday afternoon in New York.
It is clear that it will have “serious and far-reaching consequences for thousands of people in southern Ukraine, on both sides of the front lines,” he said.through the loss of homes, food, safe water, and livelihoods.”
The reservoir is the lifeline for the whole region, he said. Ukrainian authorities are reporting that 40 settlements have been flooded or partially flooded, and this number is expected to increase.
He told the ambassadors that the United Nations was still unable to reach the areas controlled by Russia, but was quick to mobilize aid for the civilians they could reach.
He said the UN is supporting the efforts of the Government of Ukraine, while sending generators, sanitation equipment and portable drinking water supplies, and multi-sector mobile teams are also being deployed to stations. buses and trains to assist with evacuations.
Cities in the West, are preparing to receive evacuees. Farming and fishing will be affected across the entire region, including Russian-occupied Crimea.
The plight of the commoners will only get worse
“Today’s news means .” he said The plight of the Ukrainian people is getting even worse…Immediate humanitarian needs are expected to increase as floodwaters move in the coming days.“.
He said the dam was “an important source” for agriculture and irrigation, “a deal a heavy blow to the food production industry… which has already suffered significant damage.”
He also expressed concern about the rapid movement of landmines and other deadly ordinances across the water to areas that have been declared safe.
