Thousands Affected As Kakhovka Dam Collapse Causes Flooding in Kherson Region
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Approximately 2,700 houses in 15 settlements of the Kherson Region have been flooded following the collapse of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant's dam, as reported by emergency services.
The source told TASS, "Based on the latest information, the water has flooded around 2,700 houses in 15 settlements of the Kherson Region, where a total of 22,000 people resided. Nearly 1,300 individuals have been evacuated."
To accommodate those affected, authorities have set up 40 temporary shelters with a capacity of housing up to 5,500 people. Currently, 345 civilians are staying in these shelters.
In response to the situation, a state of emergency has been declared in the region.
On Tuesday night, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) in Ukraine was struck by the military, presumably utilizing an Olkha multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). The attack resulted in the destruction of hydraulic valves at the dam, leading to an uncontrolled discharge of water. At one point, the water level exceeded 12 meters in Novaya Kakhovka. Currently, 14 settlements are within the flooded area, with approximately 80 villages at risk of being inundated. The dam's collapse has caused significant environmental damage, including the erosion of farmlands along the Dnieper River and a potential risk of the North Crimean Canal becoming shallow.
In the early hours of Wednesday, the local administration of Novaya Kakhovka reported that the waters that flooded the city were beginning to recede, as stated on its Telegram channel. According to the Novaya Kakhovka city district administration, "Water levels in the previously flooded streets of Novaya Kakhovka have started to subside."
The district's response center informed TASS that the water level had decreased by 35mm, a figure also confirmed by Novaya Kakhovka Mayor Vladimir Leontyev shortly after. Over 900 individuals were evacuated from the flooded zones on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian forces carried out the shelling of the Kakhovka HPP in the early morning hours of Tuesday, reportedly utilizing missiles fired from an Olkha MLRS. The shelling caused the gate valves of the dam to collapse, resulting in an uncontrolled release of water.
Currently, the water level in Novaya Kakhovka has risen above 12 meters. Fourteen settlements have been flooded, and up to 80 more remain at risk of being inundated. Evacuations are underway in neighboring areas, although local authorities have stated that large-scale evacuations are not necessary. The farmlands along the Dnieper River have suffered extensive damage, and there is a concern about the potential depletion of the North Crimean Canal, which supplies water to Crimea.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the attack on the Kakhovka HPP as a deliberate act of sabotage by Ukraine. He said the responsibility for the consequences lies with the Kiev government.
