"I hope we will be able to have an interview following the Victory": Life in Kherson region post-Kakhovka HPP disaster

What is the problem?

Following the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP and dam on June 6, 2023, up to 80 settlements were flooded with water from the Kakhovka Reservoir. The most heavily impacted area was the left bank, which is still under Russian occupation and sits on the low-lying side of the Dnipro River.

Kherson, the day after the Russian terrorist attack. On the right bank, the land is higher than the left, but the houses were almost completely submerged even here. Only those who had evacuated in time or climbed to the roofs or upper floors of apartment buildings could escape the flood.

Right after the hydroelectric power station blew up, the Rubryka reporter rushed to the disaster site. There, Kherson resident Svitlana shared with the journalist the current state of Hola Prystan, where her sister Olena resides. Svitlana's flood video quickly went viral on Facebook, amassing over 1.2 million views.

"There's a dire situation over there. The water level has already risen above three meters, causing most houses to flood. Buildings are collapsing, and people are sitting on the roofs of their homes. Unfortunately, many have already been submerged and cannot continue enduring the exhaustion," Svitlana shared her conversation with her sister, who lived on the left bank and reported that the water had reached three meters. Svitlana even recorded part of their conversation with a dictaphone, where Olena mentioned the water level reaching the same height.

Military, volunteers, and civilians rescued animals that had lost their homes.

Olena's situation is heart-wrenching; unfortunately, thousands are like hers in the Kherson region. The flood, triggered by the Russian terrorist attack, has impacted around 16,000 individuals.

Kherson region. Initially, we inquired about Olena.

It's frightening, but we took comfort in knowing that our heroine's sister is still alive, although her current situation cannot be considered comfortable. Olena could not leave the temporarily occupied left bank of the Kherson region.

Right-bank Kherson region after flooding

"Thank God, everything is fine. However, Olena is currently on the left bank and hasn't left yet. She's trying to hide because it's a difficult situation for them there…emotionally, that is. We can stay in touch with her through a Ukrainian connection that works intermittently. We can talk once a week or every three days," Svitlana reports.

Olena's home experienced a 2-meter increase in water levels, making nothing salvageable. Svitlana stated that Olena now resides in a different house located slightly higher:

"They've all gathered up there, just a small group, living up at quite an altitude. The water was hitting about 30 centimeters up there. So many dogs and cats started coming to them. They cared for them and couldn't bear to leave them behind; it was heartbreaking."

Regarding Svitlana, her house in Kherson was fortunately unaffected by the flood. However, she is not able to leave the city due to her bedridden mother, who suffers from memory loss.

"Going somewhere? I just don't know how to take her and what to do with her later. Here, on the spot, everything is somehow determined, but there? Where, what, how? Here, I can leave her for a few hours at home, but not in someone else's place. I will be nervous for her."

Shellings are happening in Kherson daily. Locals try not to go outside for a long time to stay alive.

There are still plenty of reminders of the past flood in Kherson.

"It's terrible where the flood hit. Many houses have been destroyed, and the old ones are unrecognizable. People with brick houses are luckier, but everything inside is ruined. Those who evacuated are afraid to return due to ongoing shelling," Svitlana explains.

The Russian army is bombarding Kherson daily, causing residents to hide and limit their time outside. In the past fortnight, the shelling has increased in frequency. According to Svitlana, the night before our conversation saw one of the most severe bombardments.

"There was constant shelling throughout the summer and fall. All we can hear is the sound of firing shells and an explosion just a few seconds later. It is tough. And the shelling in the last two weeks has been beyond words. It even reached our area, causing some of our neighbors' houses to catch fire. I have been collecting debris [ from shells – ed.] in our yard and putting them in a box. We don't go outside very often – only quickly to the store or pharmacy before returning home immediately. Because at any moment, the shelling can reach any area, but in my neighborhood near Korabelna Square, it happens very frequently," says Svitlana.

Empty streets in Kherson. The right bank of the Kherson region is freed from occupation, but the city and nearby villages are under constant attack by the Russian army.

The woman's house has no basement or a bomb shelter, so the residents set it up under the concrete stairs. When they hear the shelling, they quickly take cover there. The city has access to electricity, gas, and water, but at night, the residents still rely on lanterns as a precaution due to the need for light masking in Kherson.

What is the solution?

Even with the bombings, the terrible tragedy, and the nearby occupation of the shallow Dnipro, Svitlana and other residents of the area still possess the inner strength to assist their fellow townspeople.

The woman recently joined a volunteer initiative group in her neighborhood, which is a local self-governing community. They collaborated to select a "neighborhood leader" to lead the group.

"In our community, we have many senior citizens, as well as individuals with disabilities and those who are bedridden. Along with the "neighborhood leaders," we distribute significant aid, including bread and water. We also contact volunteer organizations, requesting donations for food and cleaning supplies. We have already distributed these items today and will do so again tomorrow. We aim to ensure that everyone here is supported and does not go hungry so that everything runs smoothly here," Svitlana explains.

The photo was taken in the aftermath of the disaster, where Viktor from Kherson can be seen offering his boat to evacuate victims and personally assisting with the process.

In Svitlana's quarter, there are 240 families receiving assistance. According to the woman, there are also military forces present there. She finds solace in work as it distracts her from depressing thoughts about the ongoing war and being separated from her loved ones without any means to see them. The woman acknowledges the support she receives from her townspeople and the "neighborhood leaders."

"I feel a newfound strength within me; even my mood improves because I know I am doing something useful. That's how we live."

After speaking with Svitlana, a strange feeling lingers. Her words sound like a terrible requiem for the spring of 2022 to some Ukrainians living in safer regions. But for those who remain in dangerous areas, they are everyday hardships.

"We are waiting for Victory, I hope we will be able to have an interview following it – together with my sister," Svitlana says.

There is no sadness in her voice. Only great hope and faith that everything will be fine.