Ukrainian dam breach: What’s happening and what’s at stake

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Amid the ongoing conflict, a catastrophic breach of a dam in southern Ukraine is wreaking havoc on lives, livelihoods, and the environment. The rupture of the Kakhovka dam on Tuesday unleashed a deluge of water from Ukraine’s largest reservoir into cities, towns, and lowlands downstream along the Dnieper River, intensifying the impact of the war.

The cause of the dam breach remains unclear, although the structure had already suffered damage during the conflict. Ukraine’s government, controlling the western bank and the city of Kherson, accused Moscow’s forces of deliberately detonating the facility. In contrast, Russia, in control of the eastern bank before the river reaches the Black Sea, blames military strikes ordered by Kyiv.

The dam, operational since the mid-1950s under the Soviet Union, along with its associated hydroelectric power station situated approximately 70 kilometers east of Kherson, plays a crucial role in supplying electricity, irrigation, and drinking water to a vast region in southern Ukraine and its inhabitants.

Latest Developments:

Authorities and rescue workers on both sides of the river have intensified efforts to relocate distressed residents to higher ground, although the response has been uneven. The United Nations’ humanitarian aid agency has warned that the situation is likely to deteriorate further in the coming hours. Access to drinking water and the health risks associated with contaminated water are among the most pressing concerns.

Approximately 3,000 individuals have been evacuated from areas on both sides of the river. In Ukraine-controlled regions, around 1,700 people have been relocated, with hundreds of distress calls inundating a government hotline. On the Russia-controlled bank, up to 40,000 people are still trapped in flooded areas, and the emergency response is expected to continue for at least ten days.

The United Nations has provided assistance, including the distribution of nearly 12,000 bottles of water, 10,000 water purification tablets, and ready-to-eat meals to affected municipalities.

Impacts and Risks:

Downstream, water levels have risen up to 12 meters (39 feet) above normal, causing significant disruption. The draining of the reservoir has resulted in a substantial narrowing of the Dnieper River, shrinking by as much as 65 meters in certain areas. To mitigate the loss of the dam, authorities are attempting to retain water in upstream reservoirs.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted the dire situation, with hundreds of thousands of people lacking access to clean drinking water. Environmental experts warn of an impending disaster for wildlife and ecosystems, as the flooding has reached minefields, raising concerns about the dislodgement of explosives. Ukrainian authorities have advised locals to consume only bottled water and avoid eating fish from the contaminated river.

Russia’s Response:

In his first comments on the incident, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine during a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He condemned the breach as a “barbaric action” that resulted in an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe. However, residents in Russian-controlled areas have criticized the response from occupying authorities, claiming inadequate evacuation efforts and leaving many stranded.

Ukrainian forces have reached across the front line to supply civilians in Russian-controlled areas, demonstrating their commitment to assisting all affected individuals. A video shared by Ukraine’s Defense Ministry showed a drone delivering a bottle of water to a woman in a rooftop window in Oleshky, emphasizing their dedication to safeguarding civilians.

The Impact on Farming:

The breach of the Kakhovka dam has dealt a severe blow to Ukraine’s agricultural sector, one of the world’s major breadbaskets. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that approximately 94% of irrigation systems in the Kherson region are

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