Ukraine dam's reservoir can no longer cool nuclear plant: Operator
Kakhovka dam operator Thursday said Ukraine faces a major nuclear catastrophe as the reservoir which was being used to cool the reactors at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine can no longer supply water to the reactors
PremiumKakhovka dam operator Thursday said Ukraine faces a major nuclear catastrophe as the reservoir which was being used to cool the reactors at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine can no longer supply water to the reactors.
On Tuesday, the Russia-held Kakhovka dam was demolished in an explosion causing breach in the dam. Both the warring countries (Russia and Ukraine) accused each other for the destruction.
Ukrhydroenergo's chief executive Igor Syrota said the dam can no longer supply water to "the ponds at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station to cool the plant" as the water level at the reservoir had gone "below the critical point of 12.7 metres (42 feet)".
Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi, who is due to visit the plant next week, said authorities can no longer pump water from the reservoir if the water level has gone below 12.7 metres.
The IAEA chief further said the existing water in cooling ponds at the nuclear plant can be used only "for some time" to cool the reactors and the spent fuel pools in the reactor buildings.
Additionally, a large cooling pond next to the site is "currently full and has enough in storage to supply the plant for several months, as its six reactors are in shutdown mode", Grossi said
"It is therefore vital that this cooling pond remains intact... I call on all sides to ensure nothing is done to undermine that," Grossi added.
The plant staff have already implemented measures to limit the consumption of water, using it for only "essential nuclear-safety related activities", Grossi said earlier.
"There is a preparedness for events like this... But clearly, this is making an already very difficult and unpredictable nuclear safety and security situation even more so," Grossi said.
The plant's reactors have already been shut down, but they still need cooling water to ensure there is no nuclear disaster.
The cooling systems in nuclear power plants rely on substantial quantities of water. In the absence of effective cooling, the temperature within the nuclear reactor core can dangerously escalate.
The IAEA chief warned that in absence of cooling water for an extended period of time would cause fuel melt and inoperability of the emergency diesel generators.
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
