The Australian Uranium Information Centre has issued a briefing paper (dated March 2006) which gives more extensive details of the Chernobyl accident and subsequent investigations. The Centre is funded by companies involved in uranium exploration, mining and export in Australia, but the paper does appear to be factually accurate. The International Atomic Energy Authority has coverage of Chernobyl in it's In Focus series.
Thunder heard from around 20.20, occasional flashes of lightning to south. Could it be your storm Louise? 20.38 Getting closer. Here comes the rain. 21.05 Storm moving away, rain ceased, passed to east of my location.
This was the year of the so-called Great Drought. There is some general information here on the weather and some of its consequences. However, I imagine you are aware of this already?