Kherson dam's destruction: Thousands of people being evacuated

New Delhi: The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam in Kherson, Ukraine, suffered a catastrophic breach, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people and raising concerns about the humanitarian situation in the region.

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, informed the Security Council about the severe consequences of the dam's destruction on Tuesday, calling it the most significant incident of damage to civilian infrastructure since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The flooding caused by the dam's breach has already affected at least 40 to 60 settlements in Kherson, partially or entirely submerging them. This sustained flooding will disrupt farming activities and cause significant damage to livestock and fisheries, dealing a massive blow to an already weakened food production sector in Ukraine.

Moreover, the fast-moving floodwaters pose additional risks to the local population's safety. The water could displace mines and explosive ordnance, putting people in unpredictable danger. The destruction of the dam also raises concerns about electricity generation and the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant downstream.

In response to the crisis, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have ramped up their operations to provide urgent assistance to over 16,000 affected individuals. Multidisciplinary mobile teams have been deployed to train the Kherson people and assist with the evacuation efforts.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) closely monitors the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant situation and has reported no immediate threat.

During the Security Council meeting, many speakers deplored the dam's destruction and highlighted its humanitarian and environmental impacts. There were particular concerns about the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station. The need for accountability was emphasized, and the Russian Federation was urged to withdraw its forces immediately and unconditionally from Ukraine.

The representative of Mozambique warned about the global repercussions of this environmental disaster, particularly on populations, ecosystems, and the already strained global food supply chain. He underlined that the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure during war violated international humanitarian law and emphasized the importance of holding parties accountable for such acts.

Addressing the West directly, the Russian Federation's representative said that "hiding behind the dysfunctional Kyiv regime will not work", as Moscow "understand perfectly well who actually plans, prepares and authorizes sabotage of this magnitude". He asserted that Kyiv — with a sense of complete impunity and the encouragement of Western curators — committed an unthinkable crime to inflict maximum humanitarian damage. The use of such terrorist methods has become that State's official tactic.

Countering that, the representative of Ukraine pointed out that it is physically impossible to blow up the dam from the outside through shelling. As such, the Russian Federation — having controlled the dam for more than a year — planned a terrorist attack against Ukrainian critical infrastructure well in advance.

Amid accusations and blame, Ukraine's military and NATO have accused Russia of intentionally detonating the dam, while Russia has denied these allegations and instead blamed Ukraine. The exact cause of the dam's destruction is yet to be determined.

In a devastating incident on the morning of June 05, massive explosions rocked the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, resulting in significant damage and imminent flooding threats. Prompt evacuation measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of thousands of residents in downstream villages. The rushing waters of the Dnieper River pose a grave risk to numerous towns and villages in Russian and Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Kherson area.

The Kakhovka Dam, constructed during the Soviet era, is one of six dams along the Dnieper River. Its immense size and capacity, often called the "Kakhovka Sea" by locals, make it a critical infrastructure supplying water to upstream communities. The dam also provides cooling water to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located about 140 kilometres upstream.

As the situation unfolds, the extent of downstream flooding remains uncertain. Still, concerns are growing about the devastating consequences it could have for settlements within the critical zone, home to approximately 16,000 people. Images from Nova Kakhova depict buildings submerged by floodwaters, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam is a humanitarian crisis and a threat to the region's stability. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and it is water that is being weaponised in the ongoing conflict. Legal experts say that it is a war crime to attack the dam or nuclear plants even in the time of war and it becomes the responsibility of the warring parties to take safety measures.