Complex characteristics of landscape components affected by the disaster at the Ka-hovka Hydropower Plant

Abstract

The paper provides an in-detail analysis of the flooding in Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts as a result of the explosion at the Kahovka Hydropower Plant (HPP). We considered the possibility of using a combined analysis of the data of on-ground and remote monitoring of the course and consequences of the flooding. Based on the materials of the Ukrainian Hydometeorological Center of the State Service of Ukraine, we determined control points of chronology of the events and the dynamics of the main hydrometric indicators. The flooding began on 05/06/2023, the water returning back to the regular levels on average on 26/06/2023. The highest levels of water were observed in the period between June 7 and June 9, 2023. The synchronicity of the satellite surveillance of the territory during this time is representative. Based on the parameters of spatio-temporal resolution and degree of cloud cover, we chose the satellite images from Landsat 9 as the basic materials for our study. Using a modified normalized water index, we identified changes in the water area in the indicated time period. Using a digital model of the territory’s relief, we elaborated the zone of spread of the water surface in areas with dense vegetative cover. We found flooded zones where the water was much higher than the maximal levels recorded at the hydrological-monitoring checkpoints. The elucidation of estimations of the flooding zone revealed the components of natural landscapes that have been affected by the techogenic catastrophe. The flooding pummeled the azonal landscape complexes and complexes of above-floodplain terraces and coastal plains. The results of our study are an important step towards assessing the degradation of the downstream-Dnipro ecosystem. They will lay the groundwork for designing plans to liquidate the aftermath of the emergency and adaptation measures in the conditions of increasing risk of devastating technogenic events.