A dam break in Ukraine has caused significant flooding
The breaching of a major dam in southern Ukraine earlier this week has resulted in significant flooding, leading to the death of nine people in the town of Oleshky, according to Mayor Yevhen Ryshchuk. The mayor expressed concerns that there may be more victims as the flooding continues.
Many residents in the area were stranded on the rooftops of their flooded houses, awaiting rescue. Oleshky, located approximately 60 km southwest of the Nova Kakhovka dam, is currently under the control of Russian forces. The dam breach, followed by the destruction of a hydroelectric power plant in the Russian-controlled Nova Kakhovka region, caused a rapid increase in water levels downstream.
As a result, mass evacuations have taken place, with 30 towns and villages along the river being flooded. The city of Kherson, the regional capital controlled by Ukraine, has seen nearly 2,000 homes submerged. Among the affected areas, 20 towns and villages are under Ukrainian control, while 10 are occupied by Russia.
Both Kiev and Moscow have traded accusations regarding the dam’s destruction but have not provided concrete evidence of responsibility. The cause of the breach, whether intentional or due to structural failure, is still uncertain.
