People are asked not to swim in the Black Sea temporarily due to the explosion of the Kakhovskaya HPP

In the coming days, people are being advised to refrain from swimming in the flooded coastal areas and the Black Sea due to the detonation of the Kakhovska Hydroelectric Power Station (HES). This information was reported by the State Eco-Inspection of the South-Western District.

According to their information, due to the flooding of coastal areas, agricultural chemicals, pesticides, harmful organic materials, and petroleum products could enter the waters of the Black Sea. Additionally, the explosion of the HES in the Odessa region has led to an increase in the monitoring of water in the Black Sea. This was reported by Vitaliy Honcharov, the Deputy General Director of the Odessa Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention under the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

He noted that the regional center for disease control and prevention is currently operating in an enhanced mode. Water samples in the region, which are collected daily, are currently within normal limits. However, considering the situation, the number of water samples has been increased.

"There is an increased amount of water sampling for research, both seawater and water from open water bodies. So far, the situation is under control, and there has been no increase in the incidence rates. The results of the research are within acceptable sanitary norms. Rapid response teams have been established for all these events," Honcharov reported.

To monitor the consequences in Odessa, experts will also monitor the salinity of the sea. According to experts, they will work at specific points to monitor changes in the salinity of the Black Sea. The detonation of the Kakhovska HES will have "noticeable consequences" for the marine ecosystem due to the increase in air temperature in the summer. However, the impact will not be noticeable until at least a week.

It's worth noting that on June 6, Russian forces detonated the structures of the Kakhovska HES in the Kherson region. As a result, approximately 80 settlements, including the city of Kherson, are at risk of flooding. Authorities and volunteers have initiated the evacuation of the population from hazardous areas.