The failure of the Kakhovka dam in the eastern parts of Ukraine has caused widespread devastation. The dam is of a type that is well-known to be durable and therefore only seems to have been damaged in its top layer.
The foundation should be able to remain relatively unharmed, according to Nadhir Al-Alsari, Professor of Geotechnics at Luleå University of Technology. But this does not necessarily mean that the dam can be repaired, says Al-Ansari.