Red Forest...
... zone suffered a complete loss of conifers with partial damage to hardwoods (the so-called "Red forest"). Scholars estimate that the level of absorbed doses of external gamma radiation exposure in 1986-1987 was 8000 - 10000, with the maximum capacity of the external dose was 500 mR/h and more. This total area of this zone is approximately 400 hectares. In this zone, the pine tree trunks completely died and pine needles exhibited a brick color. The entire forest was virtually "burned down" - having accumulated a significant amount of radioactive emissions. Heavy radioactive contamination of the dead trees led to its burial.
About evacuation from contaminated territory of Chernobyl...
...evening radiation level in Pripyat exceeded the natural background in 1000 times (0,1 mSv/h). Though radiation situation did not cause alert yet, physicists of the Governmental commission recommended evacuate inhabitants, because they could not judge with confidence about the state of the reactor active area and about further development of the accident. Near 22:00 Commission has come to conclusion to begin of evacuation the next day – 27 April...
Description of the New Safe Confinement ...
...The confinement's main function is limitation of the Shelter's radioactive substances spreading. This condition must be implemented during normal conditions of the confinement exploitation as well as during possible accident (the Shelter destruction). Project term of the new construction is one hundred years.
The confinement will provide isolation of the Shelter from rainwater and snow slush incoming. It also will provide groundwater protection from the destroyed reactor's radioactive substances.
