KHERSON (Ukraine) — Authorities rushed supplies of drinking water to flooded districts in southern Ukraine on Wednesday, as authorities considered where they may relocate locals who rely on the ruptured reservoir on the Dnieper River, which forms part of the front line in the 15-month war.

According to official counts, more than 2,700 people had escaped flooded districts on both the Russian and Ukrainian banks of the river, but it was unclear whether the entire scope of the tragedy had yet surfaced in an area home to more than 60,000 people.

The Kakhovka hydroelectric dam and reservoir, which supply drinking water and irrigation to a vast area of southern Ukraine, are located in the Kherson region, which has been held by Moscow's soldiers for the last year. It is also crucial for supplying water to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia unlawfully seized in 2014.

Ukraine owns the Dnieper's western bank, but Russia controls the eastern bank, which is lower and more subject to floods.

Scenes of flooded neighbourhoods, rescues, and even individuals allegedly waiting for help on their rooftops in some Russian-occupied districts resembled a natural disaster rather than a military tragedy.

People were allegedly waiting for aid on roofs in some Russian-occupied villages along the river, sights reminiscent of a natural tragedy rather than one caused by conflict.

It was unclear what caused the dam's collapse a day later, with both sides blaming one other for the devastation. Some analysts believe the dam collapse was caused by wartime damage and negligence, while others believe Russia destroyed the dam for tactical military reasons.

Many civilians have fled the region as a result of the war, while others have remained despite shelling and drone assaults, making it difficult to know how many people are still at risk in an area where hundreds of thousands resided before to Russia's February 2022 invasion.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he met with authorities to discuss "urgent provision of drinking water and long-term solutions for settlements that were dependent on the reservoir," as well as analysing property and environmental damage in the region.

Flooding might wash away this season's crops, while the Kakhovka reservoir's depletion would prevent appropriate irrigation in the coming years.

In occupied areas, Zelenskyy accused Moscow-installed officials of failing to respond appropriately to the situation.a

In a region where up to 40,000 people were supposed to be impacted, Russian-controlled officials stated they evacuated less than 1,300 individuals. In comparison, around 1,700 people were evacuated on the Ukrainian side, while the population was estimated to be over 42,000.

According to the independent Russian news site Vyorstka, residents of the Moscow-controlled town of Oleshky were reported to be stuck. According to one lady, her mother, who couldn't make it to the roof, was in the water grasping a ladder. Children and the handicapped were among those awaiting evacuation, according to a volunteer.

Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy, would seek assistance from international organisations.

Civilians held personal possessions as they walked through knee-deep water in the streets and rode rubber rafts in Kherson. Social media videos showed rescuers bringing people to safety and what seemed to be a building's triangular roof floating downstream.

Aerial footage showed flooded streets in the Russian-controlled city of Nova Kakhovska on the Dnieper's eastern bank, where Mayor Vladimir Leontyev claimed seven people had gone missing but were still alive.

It was unclear how the dam accident would effect the battle, which occurred just as Ukraine looked to be prepared to launch a counteroffensive against Russian soldiers. Artillery roared during the catastrophe response as thousands fled the danger zone.

In terms of who is to blame, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, stated that Russia has "a greater and clearer interest in flooding the lower Dnieper despite the damage to their own prepared defensive positions."

In the midst of anticipation that Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive has begun, the ISW speculated that Russian forces may believe bursting the dam will mask a possible retreat and prolong Ukraine's drive.

The dam, located approximately 70 kilometres (44 miles) east of Kherson, was thought to be in disrepair and likely to collapse, as water was already overflowing before the wall fell way. According to authorities, it has not been producing electricity since November.

Before the break, the Kakhovka reservoir had "record high" water levels, according to the British Ministry of Defence. Although the dam was not completely destroyed, the ministry warned that its construction "is likely to deteriorate further over the next few days, causing additional flooding."

Wheat prices rose 3 percent following the fall, highlighting the war's worldwide ramifications. Ukraine and Russia are major worldwide providers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other agricultural products to Africa, the Middle East, and portions of Asia.

Both parties warned of environmental calamity due to filthy waters, which were caused in part by oil spilling from the dam's equipment. The empty reservoir might deprive farms of irrigation in the future.

Officials from Russia and Ukraine, as well as the United Nations, have cautioned that assessing the damage will take days, and that the recovery process will be lengthy.