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| Graffiti near what was once Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant |
Another haunting story of a community’s
struggle as a result of disaster began April 26, 1986 when nuclear reactor
No. 4 exploded in Chernobyl, Ukraine. The following day, in Pripyat, a
small town built for Chernobyl nuclear reactor workers and their families,
people were forced to abandon the life they once knew for fear of radiation
poisoning. The nuclear explosion created a radioactive cloud that blanketed
Pripyat and nearby towns.
The Chernobyl nuclear reactor fire burned for thirty days. Some would describe it as a glowing orb, almost beautiful. At first, there was no mention of the explosion from the Soviet government. It wasn’t until the following day that 1,100 buses were ordered to evacuate Pripyat. 100,000 workers and their families left their personal belongings, no matter how valuable, for fear of contamination.
One can hardly imagine what was going on in the minds of these victims after the explosion. Many feared disease and painful death through radiation poisoning. Those that worked to clean up the reactors died agonizing deaths. It was reported in some cases organs disintegrated, limbs developed sores and body parts just became separated from the victim’s bodies.
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| Copyright Jan Smith from Visual News, Online |
After the evacuation, houses and
belongings were left untouched for nearly twenty years. The modern day visitor can capture a glimpse of how life was before the nuclear
meltdown. Unknown Ukrainian artists have painted dark silhouettes of
children on these abandoned buildings. The black figures haunt the old
buildings of Chernobyl. Jan Smith captures these ghostly memories through her
photographic images. Check
them out here: http://www.smithjan.com/portfolio.html
A reader might wonder
how these victims fair today after enduring such a sudden catastrophe. Those that are alive
today retell their stories. “Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of the Nuclear
Disaster” by Svetlana Alexievich
is a book capturing their experiences.
As I was
researching the events surrounding Chernobyl I came across an article
discussing the effects of radiation on the surrounding forests. Insects,
microbes and fungi are among some of the vital ingredients in forest decomposition. Twenty years later, environmentalists have found
trees in forests around Chernobyl have not properly decayed.
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| Lost Dwelling Near Chernobyl |
It wasn’t just the
people so drastically effected by the nuclear explosion. It was the natural
environment and the soviet economy that suffered, as well. The effects have
lasted twenty years and will continue. Retelling stories and connecting with
other survivors has helped victims of Chernobyl cope. What can we do
for the natural environment that was also a victim to radiation poisoning? Do we let
it be? Do we try to restore it?
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