Last year’s computer simulations showed how a possible failure of the dam in Novaya Kakhovka would cause widespread flooding along the banks of the Dnieper and its tributaries.

Simulation of floods caused by the collapse of the dam in Nova KakhovkaPhoto: video shooting

Computer simulations show how the failure of a dam in the upper reaches of the Dnipro River creates the risk of massive flooding along its banks to its mouth in the Black Sea.

They were carried out last year in the context of the fact that last November Russia and Ukraine began to accuse each other of plans to destroy a dam built on the Dnieper, the fourth largest in Europe.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy then stated that the dam holds about 18 million cubic meters of water, and if it is blown up, it will quickly flood 80 settlements, including Kherson.

Modeling also shows that dam failure will very likely affect the currents of the Bug and Ingulets rivers. In fact, General Mark Gertling, the former commander of US forces in Europe, in turn spoke of this danger in a heated response after the dam was blown up.

Gertling also said the US military modeled different levels of downstream damage to calculate the effects, which were significant in each scenario.

“Cities on both sides of the river [Nipru] will suffer significant flooding within the next 24 hours,” the US official added, noting, however, that cities on the east/left bank (controlled by the Russians) would feel the brunt of the dam’s impact.

The first photos of the floods caused by the destruction of the dam in Nova Kakhovka

Videos of heavy water spilling after the destruction of a dam controlled by the Russian occupying forces began to appear on social networks from the very morning.

In the video, which was broadcast by the Russian agency RIA Novosti, it can be seen that the water has already reached the center of Novaya Kakhovka, including a group of swans in front of the administrative building of the occupation authorities. The building seems to have been abandoned, but Russian flags remain on it.

Regular shots from the city center broadcast by Russian mass media:

A separate record shows that the water has already reached the city of Kherson, which the Ukrainian army liberated on November 11 last year after six months of being under Russian occupation.

Dramatic flood in Kherson

Other footage shows that Glory Park (“Glory Park”), which is located right on the banks of the Dnieper in Kherson, was completely flooded:

Other destruction noticed by passers-by on the banks of the Dnieper:

Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the destruction of the Nova Khakivka dam over fears that it could jeopardize the safety of Europe’s largest Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. However, both Ukrainian and Russian officials assure that the situation is under control and nothing is in danger at the moment.

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