Japan bracing for a nuclear catastrophe?

Tokyo, Mar 12: After the massive tsunami catastrophe, Japan will have to face a whole new challenge in the form of a possible radiation leak that was caused by the earthquake. Among those affected are also the number of nuclear power plants.

A news agency report has revealed that a atomic material might have leaked from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors situated about 260 kilometers north of Tokyo. Latest news have emerged that Japan is releasing radioactive vapour to ease the pressure from the reactors that have heated up.

After reports emerged of glitches in the cooling of radioactive materials that will have dire consequences was reported in both the Fukushima and the Ichiro Fujisaki plant. The local news agaency, Kyodo reported that four coolant units of the Fukushima Daini plant had failed. The plant was listed in the nuclear emergency list with clear indications that the coolant system was not working.

After people were evacuated from the vicinity to contain the damage that might emerge from the leaks. A senior scientist with the National Resource Defense Council, Tom Cochran has said that the increasing heat due to the non-functioning of the coolant leads to the radioactive materials to boil over thereby releasing steam that can have deadly results.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano also expressed concern on the impact of the quake and said that the plant remains at a high temperature and "cannot cool down." The impact has caused considerable concern that can result in catastrophic results. In spite of the fact that five nuclear plants were shut down after the earthquake ripped Japan, there are still strong indications that some radioactive material might have leaked. Tokyo has already declared a state of atomic power emergency.

Meanwhile a major fire broke out at the Onagawa plant, but with the timely intervention of the official were able to put it out, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

OneIndia News