Area of Kakhovka Reservoir has decreased by 50% – Ukrhydroenergo

"As of June 12, the reservoir has decreased by 50%. As for the volume, according to our estimates, the Kakhovka Reservoir now has 60-70% less water than before the explosion," said Ukrhydroenergo’s Director General Ihor Syrota, Ukrhydroenergo hydropower generating company posted on Telegram.

He also outlined the likely serious consequences for the environment if the water in the reservoir falls below the critical level – about 3 meters.

"We hope that the lower hydrotechnical structure remained intact. If so, the level of the Kakhovka Reservoir may remain within 6-7 meters. If it is damaged, it is in the critical zone," Syrota said.

According to him, the water supply to the Crimean peninsula may be restored "by the summer of next year."

"It is clear that the Crimean Canal will be drained, there can be no water there. When Crimea is de-occupied, we will solve the issue comprehensively by solving the problem of water supply to our four regions and Crimea. I think it won't happen before next year, after the flood," Syrota said.

He also noted that "if this [de-occupation] does not happen for some reason, then the canal will simply be closed because we will provide water, first of all, to Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv regions."

As reported, Russian troops blew up the dam of the Kakhovka HPP on the night of June 6, causing the flooding of parts of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions and, at the same time, the critical shallowing of the Kakhovka Reservoir.