KYIV: On the ninth day of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia used their extreme tactic to win the war. They attacked Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Preliminary conclusion is that heavy damages have been incurred after the fire spread. Nuclear radiation levels are also reported to have risen sharply. With this, the world is worried that Zaporizhzhia will pose a bigger threat than Chernobyl. Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the ten largest nuclear power plants in the world. This is exactly what is causing a great concern. If the plant explodes as a result of the attack, the impact will be ten times more than the Chernobyl disaster.

Zaporizhzhia has six nuclear reactors. Each reactor generates 950 MW of power. A total of 5,700 MW of power is being generated here. The plant has been given a 10-year extension following its 2017 re-construction work. The tenure will end in 2027.

Equivalent to 400 Hiroshima
The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that happened in 1986 in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. It is considered the worst nuclear disaster in human history. The accident was described as ‘equivalent to four hundred Hiroshima.’ The tragedy that shook the world was caused by a small accident by one of the scientists during the experiment. The steel shields of the reactor exploded sending high-intensity radioactive materials into the atmosphere, and the city of Pripyat, where the reactor was located, was completely polluted by radioactive materials. Thirty-one people were killed in and around the station. The first victims of the disaster were firefighters who arrived to douse the blaze. Unaware of the dangers of nuclear radiation, they actively participated in the rescue operation. They soon became addicted to deadly diseases such as cancer.

Even those miles away from the plant were affected by nuclear radiation. Tens of thousands have died from deadly diseases, including cancer. Subsequent generations continue to experience its ill effects. Even today, babies are born with disabilities. About 300,000 people were evacuated that day, covering an area of about 1,000 square miles. Later farms in the area produced animals with serious genetic problems. An eight-legged pony, a headless calf ... so frightening to look at. A huge arch was built last year to reduce the impact of radiation and make the area safer. The European Bank built the arch at a cost of 1.5 billion euros. Nearly 40 countries had cooperated for this. Still the level of nuclear radiation in the atmosphere surrounding the plant is still in a critical condition.

Tourist centre today
Chernobyl, where the tragedy happened, is today a tourist destination. The area was opened to tourism in 2011. Visitors are allowed to visit the place after wearing safety clothing in strict accordance with the guide's instructions.

If something goes wrong, it will be a tragedy that will last for generations. It costs around Rs 20,000 per person to visit this place. Prior to the war, people from all over the world visited this place.