SW News: People who had already evacuated their homes in panic due to heavy floods triggered by a collapsed dam scurried for shelter once more as they heard what sounded like Russian firing overhead. Rescue personnel are using boats to evacuate individuals from the Kherson region despite the risks.

There is not much time left as certain areas of this area have flood waters that are chest-high. Some people are waving for assistance frantically from the rooftops of their flooded homes.

Rescue workers are overwhelmed by the damage to the Nova Kakhovka dam in the Dnipro near the Ukrainian port city of Kherson. According to Kyiv, Russia detonated the dam in order to stop Ukrainian forces from continuing their counteroffensive against Russian invaders over the Dnipro River. Moscow disputes these allegations. At least 42,000 people, according to Ukrainian officials, are already in immediate danger from severe flooding.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has said that Kremlin-appointed authorities failed to evacuate locals and have pleaded with foreign organizations for assistance.

Zelensky added that as a result of the breach, "hundreds of thousands" no longer have regular access to clean drinking water. The tragedy has already been dubbed "the biggest eco-disaster" since the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986 by Ukrainian officials.

After the Nova Kakhovka dam burst, Ukrainian forces claimed to have seen Russian soldiers being swept away in flood waters. They claim that numerous people were killed or hurt when the dam fell.

These casualties were added to the several thousands of individuals who have already died or been injured in what is currently the worst military conflict in all of Europe.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis praised the ecumenical One Minute for Peace effort in praying for an end to the hostilities raging throughout the world, especially in Ukraine. The Holy Father made the most recent plea for an end to the ongoing conflict that has been claiming countless lives for more than a year towards the end of his General Audience on Wednesday. He was reflecting on individuals who exemplified apostolic zeal.

In his greetings to pilgrims from Poland and Italy, the Pope once more brought to mind Ukraine and its suffering people.