A devastating flood has hit southern Ukraine amid an ongoing conflict in the region. The Kakhovka dam was destroyed on Tuesday, causing the Dnipro River to inundate a 50-mile stretch of land, destroying docks, farms, gas stations, factories, and houses. The flood has polluted water supplies, destroyed crops, and displaced thousands of people, many of whom were already affected by the war. Landmines planted during the conflict have also washed away, presenting a danger to the population. Some towns have been completely flooded, with residents pleading for help online. The flood, coupled with the war, has caused a major humanitarian crisis, and the displaced people require long-term housing. Many difficulties lie ahead for southern Ukraine, including the restoration of drinking water supplies, and providing basic services with the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant damaged by shelling. A Ukrainian intelligence agency is currently coordinating rescue efforts, using drones to locate and drop supplies to those stranded on rooftops. People rescued from their homes have said they were visited by drones who dropped food and water to them. The catastrophe has underlined the scale of challenges facing southern Ukraine, where the legacy of the flood may last for decades.
