Ukrainian officials estimated that about 42,000 people are at risk from the flooding triggered by explosions at the Kakhovka dam in a Russian-controlled area of southern Ukraine. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting, during which Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the blasts. America, Britain and France called for an investigation. Martin Griffiths, the UN’s aid chief, warned that the “sheer magnitude of the catastrophe” will be only realised in the coming days. — Economist Espresso, June 7, 2023

Horrible destruction that will take a decade to rectify.

Efforts to rescue those endangered by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, located in a Russian-controlled area of south-east Ukraine, continued. Ukrainian officials reported that 29 towns and villages had been flooded, leaving people stranded on their rooftops and without drinking water. Authorities say at least 40,000 people must be evacuated. Russia and Ukraine each blame the other for the blast. Though it is too early to assess the long-term damage, officials are concerned about homelessness, crop failure, energy shortages and displaced landmines. At least three people have died, according to local media. — Economist Espresso, June 8, 2023

Been in place for 67 years, opening in 1956. Construction started in 1950, six years to build. Generated 1.4 TWh of electricity a year. Kakhovka Reservoir held 18.2 cubic kilometers of water, or 4,807,931,352,918 gallons