The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns about the diminishing water supply available for the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine following the explosion of the Khakhovka Dam near the nearby Dnieper River, according to the German news agency.
The agency has stated that it is closely monitoring the condition of the dam surrounding the large cooling basin due to the increased pressure resulting from the massive water loss on the other side.
Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reported that the agency, which has deployed observers at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Russia, is closely monitoring the situation.
The explosion of the Khakhovka Dam in the southern Kherson region on Tuesday caused a massive influx of water, resulting in flooding in several Ukrainian areas, including those occupied by Russia.
Enormous amounts of water flow from the Khakhovka reservoir, posing a potential serious problem for the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant located on the northern edge of the reservoir.
Efforts were made on Thursday to replenish the cooling water reserves at maximum speed. Despite the reactors being shut down, they still require cooling water, which is typically pumped from the reservoir.
Grossi stated that the largest nuclear power plant in Europe is not at immediate risk, but the catastrophe “poses significant new difficulties for the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant at a time when nuclear safety and security are already extremely fragile and could become critical during the military conflict.”
Grossi warned that “increased military activities in the region add to our deep concerns about the safety and security of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.”
Later in the evening, the Ukrainian nuclear energy company “Energoatom” announced that due to developments related to the cooling basin, Reactor Number Five will be placed in a cold shutdown state, which is a safer condition. The other units at the plant are already in cold shutdown status.
