After the explosion on Tuesday at the dam of the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, which supplies water to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the General secretary The UN described the event as a “monumental humanitarian, economic and ecological catastrophe” for the Ukrainian region of Kherson.
In a brief intervention before the media at the UN headquarters in New York, António Guterres estimated the number of people who lost their homes at around 16,000, and indicated that the supply of drinking water is in danger “for many thousands more ”.
Although he indicated that the United Nations does not yet have independent information on the circumstances that led to the destruction of the dam, Guterres noted that “This is yet another devastating consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
“We are seeing the effects in the city of Kherson, the city of Nova Kakhovka and 80 other cities and towns along the Dnipro river. massive floods. Large scale evacuations. environmental devastation. Destruction of newly planted crops.
The head of the UN explained that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners, in coordination with the Government of Ukraine, are mobilizing to support those affected. The aid consists of the distribution of drinking water and water purification tablets, as well as other critical supplies.
“Today’s tragedy is yet another example of the terrible price of war for the people. The floodgates of suffering have overflowed for over a year. This must end. Attacks against civilians and critical civilian infrastructure must stop. We must act to guarantee accountability and respect for international humanitarian law,” Guterres concluded.
The Zaporizhia plant, temporarily out of danger
For his part, the CEO of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the safety of the nuclear plant is not affected by any immediate risk.
In statements to the Board of Governors of the Agency in Vienna, Rafael Mariano Grossi explained that the serious damage to the dam caused a significant reduction in the level of the reservoir that supplies water for cooling the nuclear power plant.
“The absence of water for essential cooling systems for a long period of time could cause fuel meltdown and inoperability of emergency diesel generators. However, our assessment indicates that there is no immediate risk to the security of the plant,” he stressed.
Agency staff at the Zaporizhia plant have already been informed that the damage to the dam is causing a reduction of about 5 cm/hour in the height of the reservoir. The team continues to monitor this rate and all other issues at the site.
“The main water supply for cooling comes from the reservoir and is pumped through channels close to the thermal power plant to the site. It is estimated that the water through this route should last a few days, ”he explained.
Grossi explained that the approximate height of the water in the reservoir at 8 in the morning was about 16.4 meters, and indicated that if it drops to more than 12.7 m, it will no longer be possible to pump.
The IAEA Assistance and Support Mission to Zaporizhia reported that everything possible is being done to pump as much water as possible into its cooling canals and other related systems.
“In addition, to reduce water consumption, the plant is ceasing to consume non-essential water. The management of the nuclear plant is discussing the application of other measures,” he concluded.
According to press reports, Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the explosion at the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam.
