"Someone's roof is floating in the water." Garbage from the disaster in Kherson region flows to Odessa

According to local reports and videos posted online, various objects, including sofas and even entire houses, are floating in the sea.

An hour after the first reports, the number of objects in the water has only increased.

The remains of houses, roofs and other debris can be seen clearly near the shore and deep into the sea. In a video posted on the internet, the author points out that floating objects can be seen far into the horizon. Similar phenomena have already been reported in the Fontanka area.

So far there have been no official statements from the Odessa authorities in this regard, but the information is being actively verified.

All this is a direct consequence of the undermining and destruction of the dam and engine rooms of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant on June 06, 2023. As a result, water leaked from the Kakhovka reservoir and flooded part of the Kherson region. This creates the potential for pollutants to enter the Black Sea and contaminate the water area.

In this regard, Odessa beaches have become even more dangerous. The City Council urges citizens to refrain from staying on the Black Sea coast, particularly within the beach areas.

As a result of a hydroelectric dam failure, many hazardous substances that may have been at the bottom of the reservoir will enter water bodies.

Wells and open reservoirs may contain chemicals and pathogens from cemeteries. The flood may have washed away toilets and garbage dumps in the area inundated by the hydroelectric dam," warns the Health Ministry.

Specialists at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are already taking water samples from the affected area," the ministry said.

To reduce the risk of infectious diseases, follow these rules:

• Drink bottled or imported water only.
• Only use water from approved sources for cooking and household purposes. The river or a well in your backyard are no longer proven water sources. Neither are running water for technical purposes.
• Boil or otherwise disinfect water taken for drinking, washing fruit, berries or utensils. However, remember that boiling does not get rid of chemical contamination of the water!
• Refuse foods that have been waterlogged (even canned foods).
• Treat all foods with heat (boiling, frying, baking).
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Do not wear clothes that were contaminated during the flooding without first washing and disinfecting them.

Because of the rapid drop in the water level, in the next 3-5 days in Kherson region and flooded areas in Zaporizhzhya, you can observe the fish mortality. It is strictly prohibited to collect such fish, eat, salt, boil or cure it! This carries the risk of botulism.

For the treatment of acute intestinal infections, antibiotics and sorbents are stocked in the affected areas.

Do not self-medicate!

If you experience abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and other dangerous symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.