Twenty Years After, Plants (part 12 of 12)

At the end of 1986 a "sarcophagus" was erected in Chernobyl reactor 4 over bags of sand and lead thrown out by helicopter crews.

However those structure is crumbling and the rain get inside, becaming loaded with radionuclides (became "radioactive"). Kiev is downstream, through the Pripyat and the Dnieder Rivers.

(Also the radioactive dust release in the few days after the accident is still contaminating water in Chernobyl and Belorrusia adjacent areas)

Dams have been build to try to stop the water but its success is debated.

Photo 1: This is what is left of Chernobyl reactor 4, that exploded April 25, 1986 (UTC date) or April 26 (local date), 20 years ago today (this is generally the closest a TV crew or photographer can come)

Photo 2: Tow cooling towers (one unfinished)

UPDATE (Coordinates & Satellite Photos - added in 2006-May-31):

Photo 1:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=&t=k&om=1&ll=51.389646,30.099739&spn=0.002196,0.004694

Photo 2:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=&t=k&om=1&ll=51.376723,30.131829&spn=0.004447,0.009978


(As ususal, you can change the zoom using the rule near the left margin and/or pan using the left click of the mouse)