At least nine people including a child have died in a Ukraine disaster after severe flooding struck the southern city of Odesa. The State Emergency Service confirmed that 362 residents have been rescued with teams evacuating those trapped and draining water from inundated buildings.
Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said nearly two months’ worth of rain fell within just seven hours, overwhelming the city’s infrastructure. No storm sewer system can withstand such a load he noted as rescue efforts continued nonstop. More heavy rain is forecast heightening concerns for emergency workers already under pressure from the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, Russia’s attacks added to the crisis. A strike in Kherson killed one man, while an overnight assault in Kharkiv injured six and set market stalls ablaze. Across the border a fire at a Russian oil refinery fueled speculation of a drone strike though local officials denied any link to the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also issued a stark warning over the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which has been without power for seven days. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the facility is surviving on emergency generators but called the situation unsustainable.
