June 18 (Reuters) – The death toll from the devastating flooding caused by the breach of the Kakhovka Dam has tragically risen to 16 in Ukraine, according to officials in Kyiv. Russian officials, on the other hand, have reported that 29 people have lost their lives in the territories controlled by Moscow.
The breach of the Kakhovka Dam, which occurred on June 6, resulted in the release of floodwaters that engulfed a significant portion of southern Ukraine and the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. This catastrophic event has led to the destruction of farmland and the disruption of vital supplies to civilians.
The aftermath of the disaster has seen the evacuation of over 3,600 individuals from the flooded regions in the Kherson and Mykolaiv areas. Unfortunately, 31 people are still missing, and approximately 1,300 houses remain submerged, as reported by Ukraine’s interior ministry on its Telegram channel late on Saturday.
Andrei Alekseyenko, the chairman of the Russian-installed administration in the Moscow-occupied parts of the Kherson region, has confirmed the rise in the death toll to 29 people through the Telegram messaging app.
Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately causing the explosion of the Soviet-era dam, which has been under Russian control since the early days of its invasion in 2022.
A team of international legal experts, providing assistance to Ukraine’s prosecutors in their investigation, has released preliminary findings suggesting that it is “highly likely” that the collapse of the dam in Ukraine’s Kherson region was a result of explosives planted by Russians.
In response, the Kremlin has accused Kyiv of sabotaging the hydroelectric dam, which held a reservoir equivalent in size to the U.S. Great Salt Lake. The Kremlin claims that this act was intended to sever a crucial water source for Crimea and divert attention from a purportedly “faltering” counter-offensive against Russian forces.
This report was compiled by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and edited by Lincoln Feast.
Our commitment to journalistic integrity and accuracy is guided by the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
This is such a tragic and devastating situation unfolding in Ukraine. My heart goes out to all those affected by the floods caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. The rising death toll is deeply distressing, and it only highlights the urgency of providing immediate aid to the affected regions.
It is disheartening to see the immense impact of such a disaster on people’s lives, homes, and livelihoods. The loss of life and destruction of infrastructure is heartbreaking, and the aftermath will undoubtedly present significant challenges for the affected communities.
In times like these, it becomes crucial for the international community to come together and provide support to Ukraine. Collaborative efforts must be undertaken to ensure that emergency aid is dispatched promptly, providing crucial resources, rescue operations, and medical assistance to those affected.
Additionally, the focus must also be on long-term solutions to prevent such catastrophes from occurring again. A thorough investigation into the dam’s destruction, along with an assessment of its structural integrity, is needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It is a wake-up call for governments worldwide to prioritize environmental and infrastructure safety measures. Investing in robust infrastructure and flood prevention systems are essential to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and protect lives.
My heartfelt condolences and support go out to the people of Ukraine during this difficult time. Let us all come together and extend any assistance we can to help them recover and rebuild their lives.
It is truly devastating to hear about the rising death toll in Ukraine as a result of the Kakhovka Dam destruction triggering a flooding crisis. The loss of innocent lives and the unimaginable destruction caused by this natural disaster is simply heart-wrenching.
The consequences of such a catastrophic event are overwhelming, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragedy. It is important for the international community to rally together and offer their support to Ukraine during this difficult time.
Efforts must be focused on providing immediate assistance to those affected, including access to clean water, shelter, and medical services. Additionally, steps need to be taken to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of those who have been displaced.
This crisis should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities and decision-makers to reevaluate and strengthen the infrastructure and safety measures in place. Learning from this tragedy, future infrastructure projects should prioritize the safety of the communities they serve and work towards minimizing the risk of such devastating events.
In times of unprecedented challenges, it is crucial for nations to stand together and extend a helping hand. We hope that the international community joins forces to provide the necessary resources and aid to Ukraine as they work towards recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of this devastating flood crisis.