The dam of the Belogorsk Reservoir. Photo: Krym.Realii
The dam of the Belogorsk Reservoir on the Crimean peninsula is under serious threat. According to the Time Ukraine Israel portal, citing Ukrinform, due to the lack of water for more than six months, there is a risk of destruction of an important hydraulic structure of strategic importance to the region.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that after the reservoir’s sharp shallowing back in June this year, the dam was left without water contact, which threatens its structural integrity. The lack of moisture has a critical impact on the structure, in particular on the dam’s clay foundation, which is normally supported by the water environment.
An expert who agreed to comment on the situation on condition of anonymity explains:
“The Belogorsk Reservoir dam is a so-called wet dam, which means that it must be in constant contact with water to function properly. The internal layers, in particular clay, are very sensitive to drying out, and in the absence of water, these materials can deform. This leads to the formation of cracks and movement of the structural plates, which can already be seen even with the naked eye.”
In particular, such a prolonged absence of water could cause serious problems during the subsequent filling of the reservoir. Unless urgent measures are taken to repair and restore the water contact, there is a real risk of this important infrastructure being destroyed.
The expert emphasises that if the dam is damaged, the consequences could be catastrophic, as the town of Bilohirsk is located three kilometres from the reservoir and could be at risk of flooding. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Taiga reservoir has already needed major repairs due to similar problems after prolonged shallowing.
Incidents such as the stoppage of water inflow to the Partizan and Chornorichenske reservoirs highlight the scale and seriousness of the water crisis in occupied Crimea, which is causing alarm among local residents and experts.
These problems confirm that the destruction of infrastructure on the peninsula can have not only technical but also humanitarian consequences, which can lead to a large number of victims and significant material losses. Given this, the situation requires urgent monitoring and coordination to avoid catastrophic consequences for local communities.
