Explosion at Ukraine’s Kakhovskaya hydropower plant has severe consequences, says Ukrhydroenergo
12 June 2023
The aftermath of the explosion at the Kakhovskaya hydropower plant has resulted in significant operational and environmental consequences, operator Ukrhydroenergo has confirmed. As of 20:00 on June 11, the Hydrometeorological Center reported that the water level in the Nikopol region stood at 9.04m. Unfortunately, due to the loss of hydraulic connection with the main part of the reservoir, further observations in the affected area have become impossible, leaving experts searching for alternative methods to continue measurements.
One of the immediate effects of the explosion was observed in the Dnieper region near Kherson, where the water level dropped by 57cm within a day. As of 06:00 on June 12, the water level in the area reached 3.62m.
Despite the magnitude of the incident, the explosion at the Kakhovskaya did not disrupt the operating modes of several other hydroelectric power plants. The Kyiv HPP and GAPS, Kanivskaya, Kremenchuk, and Serednyodniprovskaya hydropower plants remain unaffected and are functioning normally.
However, the lower section of the Dniprovskaya hydropower plant has experienced a sharp decrease in water levels, resulting in operational restrictions for the station's hydraulic units. Since May, there have been no empty discharges of water into the lower reservoir, exacerbating the challenges faced by the affected region.
Currently, 32 settlements on the right bank of the Dnipro River and 14 settlements on temporarily occupied territory remain flooded. Efforts to evacuate people from these inundated areas are ongoing, and authorities are actively working to provide the affected population with drinking water and other essential resources.
In response to the disaster, Ukrhydroenergo and the project institute are collaborating on a construction project for a bridge (overlay) across the Kakhov reservoir. Once the region is deoccupied, they will be ready to commence work immediately. The primary objective of this project is to restore the Kakhov reservoir and ensure the affected regions regain access to a stable water supply as quickly as possible.
Image: https://uhe.gov.ua/
