Bombing of Kakhovska HPP is a serious blow to agriculture and food production – UN

The scale of the disaster caused by the June 6th explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam will become clear in the coming days. However, it is already clear that it will have far-reaching consequences for many thousands of people.

This was stated at a meeting of the UN Security Council by Martin Griffiths, the organization’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs.

“The UN and humanitarian organizations are taking emergency measures to provide assistance to more than 16 thousand people affected. This includes providing the population with drinking water, cash assistance and psychosocial support. Power generators, water filtration equipment and transportation will be sent to the affected areas,” Griffiths said.

He added that at least 40 settlements have already been flooded, but the number of affected villages and towns will grow. Serious consequences are also expected in the areas captured by the Russians, but Russia does not allow access for humanitarian missions.

The UN Under-Secretary-General reminded that the destroyed dam played a key role in providing water to agricultural lands in the south of Kherson region and on the Crimean peninsula.

“Prolonged flooding will disrupt agricultural activities, harm livestock and fisheries, and cause widespread long-term impacts. This is a serious blow to the food production sector,” Griffiths added.

According to him, the destruction of the dam could have a negative impact on electricity production, and any uncontrolled decrease in the water level in the reservoir could negatively affect the safety of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. He also expressed concern that the water was moving mines and other explosive devices.

As a reminder, on the morning of June 6, it became known that the Russian occupiers had blown up the Kakhovka HPP. According to the Kherson Regional State Administration, the water will reach a critical level in 5 hours after the explosion. Evacuations have begun in the region. Nova Kakhovka is already being flooded. The Korabel neighborhood in Kherson is without power, and gas supply will be cut off in a few hours. The National Police and State Emergency Service units have been put on alert in Kherson region.

Tags: war, Ukraine