Officials say the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine poses “no immediate risk” to the safety of the nearby Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, claimed: “The water level in the reservoir that is supplying Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been falling throughout the day, but the facility has back-up options available, and there is no short-term risk to nuclear safety and security.”
According to Reuters, the dam’s reservoir provides water to cool the six reactors at ZNPP, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. Grossi announced he would “lead another IAEA rotation next week” to “assess the situation and address the current and planned measures with the plant management.”
Destruction of the dam in the early hours of June 6 caused “massive flooding of the Dnipro River delta, river wetlands, estuaries, and shoreline settlements in Kherson Oblast,” according to reports from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Poland’s Krzysztof Szczerski condemned the dam’s destruction, calling it “yet another outrageous act of Russian barbarity,” a grave violation of basic norms of humanitarian and environmental protection law, and an apparent war crime.
Today is day 470 of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Source: Polskie Radio, Radio Gdańsk
Poland is set to shift into low gear for the rest of the week as residents enjoy an extended break from work for the Boże Ciało (Corpus Christi) holiday.
On Wednesday, police launched an annual road safety campaign and stepped up checks as people began heading off on vacation. Police have appealed to drivers to keep their speed down and stay alert behind the wheel, particularly in areas near the seaside and other popular resorts.
During the recent Majówka holiday weekend, 26 people were killed and 353 injured in 306 road accidents nationwide, according to police statistics.
Source: Polskie Radio
City officials in Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot have warned residents to expect temporary closures and transit detours today due to Corpus Christi processions around Trójmiasto.
A traditional procession with the Eucharist will pass through the historic city center of Gdańsk following a 10:00 mass this morning at the Basilica of St. Mary. Similar processions are also planned in Sopot and Gdynia.
More information on holiday events and transit changes in Gdańsk can be found on the city of Gdańsk website.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, gdansk.pl
Polish foresters are appealing to the public to exercise caution and observe posted restrictions in local forests due to the increased fire risk from recent hot, dry weather.
Marek Stasiuk, spokesman for the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Szczecinek, warns that the moisture content of the forest floor is very low, which may result in bans on entering the forest in certain regions.
“For the time being, there are no such bans in Poland,” Stasiuk told Radio Gdańsk, “but there are forest districts” where the humidity of materials on the forest floor is down to 10 percent. “These areas pose the greatest potential danger…we ask everyone to be careful and check on our portals whether a ban on entering the forest has been introduced for specific areas.”
A link to the fire risk map for Poland is available HERE. According to weather forecasters, there will be no rainfall in Pomerania until next week.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Polish tennis star Iga Świątek advanced to the semifinals of the French Open yesterday with a straight-set win over Coco Gauff of the United States.
The Polish world No. 1 and defending Roland Garros champion ousted the sixth-seeded American 6-4, 6-2 in their quarterfinal match in Paris on Wednesday.
Świątek, who celebrated her 22nd birthday last week, will face 14th-seeded Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia tomorrow at 16:15 CET for a place in the championship match.
Source: Polskie Radio, wtatennis.com, Reuters
Weather
Today will be mostly sunny, with very little chance of rain and a light breeze coming from the northeast. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a daytime high of 25°C or 77°F, dropping to a low of 13°C or 56°F overnight. Things are set to cool off tomorrow, with the potential for cloudy skies on Saturday and some rain early next week.
Elizabeth Peck/aKa
