The explosion at Kakhovka HPP is an additional threat to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP

Energoatom reported that the situation at ZNPP is currently under control, as the plant's cooling pond is full: as of 8 am, the water level is 16.6 metres. It is noted that this is enough for the needs of the station.

"The water from the Kakhovka reservoir is necessary for the plant to receive energy for turbine condensers and ZNPP safety systems," the statement reads.

The explosion of the hydroelectric power plant in Nova Kakhovka flooded the amusement park "Kazkova Dibrova," which houses a zoo. The Most.Kherson regional media outlet notes that the fate of the animals and birds is currently unknown.

Critically high level of water is expected around 11 am, states Kherson regional council head, Oleksandr Samoilenko.

The head of the Kherson City Military Administration, Roman Mrochko, said that the electricity in the Korabel district in Kherson was shut down for safety reasons. The gas supply will also be cut off in a few hours.

Dnipro Governor wrote that the water level in the reservoir of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant is rapidly falling — every hour by almost 15 centimetres.

Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said that in the Kherson region, approximately 16,000 people are in the critical zone on the right bank of the Dnipro River due to the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

"We understand that other settlements will be flooded too and are prepared for this. We have now organised the evacuation of residents of these settlements by bus to Kherson, then to Mykolaiv, and from there to Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Kropyvnytskyi, Kyiv, and other cities," said Prokudin.

UPD: June 6, 09:29 a.m.

The IAEA is aware of the explosion at the Kakhovka HPP

IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia NPP are closely monitoring the situation. There is no immediate nuclear safety risk at the plant.

Photo: Serhii Lysak