Ukraine's annual freshwater sources drop up to 40% after breach of Kakhovka dam

Ukraine lost 35% to 40% of its fresh water reserves due to the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP dam, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo Ihor Syrota announced on the national telethon.

Ukraine could consume such a volume of water in one year. Before the dam was blown up, there was 18.6 million cubic kilometers of water in the reservoir, and now there are 3-3.5 million cubic kilometers left in the Dnipro riverbed.

In order for the Kakhovka Reservoir not to fail completely, hydraulic structures need to be erected before the spring flood. If Ukraine fails to do this, it will have to wait another year. According to Syrota, construction of the structure should take three months.

"Temporary structures will help drain the blast site and dismantle the plant, as well as carry out all the necessary examinations. They will also be a means of crossing from one bank of the Dnipro to the other. However, to start construction, the de-occupation of the east bank of the river is necessary," said the CEO of Ukrhydroenergo.