how dangerous is chernobyl today

Today, Chernobyl remains a radioactive and dangerous area, particularly within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), which covers about 2,634 square kilometers. The land surrounding the disaster site is heavily contaminated and will remain toxic for thousands of years. The New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure, built to contain the radiation from Reactor No. 4, has suffered some damage due to a drone strike in February 2025, but no significant increase in radiation levels has been detected in the environment as a result. While some repairs to the NSC are underway, the site still requires careful monitoring and remains unsafe for permanent human habitation. The exclusion zone is hostile to life, though some animals and plants have adapted to the environment. In summary, Chernobyl today is dangerous due to persistent radioactive contamination, restricted access, and ongoing structural challenges at the plant site, but radiation levels outside the immediate reactor vicinity are generally controlled and monitored closely to prevent exposure risks.