nuclear-news

Works suspended at Fukushima because of stormy weather

Storm suspends work at Japan Fukushima nuclear plant BBC News 30 May 2011 The operator of Japan’s crippled nuclear plant has suspended some of its outdoor work due to a tropical storm, just days after it admitted it was not prepared for harsh weather.

Heavy rain and strong winds are hitting north-east Japan, which was devastated in the 11 March earthquake and tsunami.

There are fears that more radioactive material from the Fukushima plant could drain into the land and sea.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has warned of mudslides and floods.

Typhoon Songda weakened to a tropical storm over south-west Japan late on Sunday, but strong winds and rain have continued to pound the north-east of the country…..

The level of water in the basement of one of the six reactor buildings rose by nearly 20cm (8in) in 24 hours to nearly 6m (20ft), Tepco said early on Monday.

“We presume the level of water has risen due to the rainwater which has seeped into the ground,” said spokesman Junichi Matsumoto.

Widespread criticism

Workers have been spraying thousands of tonnes of water onto the damaged reactors to prevent fuel rods from overheating, after vital cooling systems were knocked out by the tsunami.

The emergency measures have left four reactor buildings with radioactive contaminated water pooling inside….

BBC News – Storm suspends work at Japan Fukushima nuclear plant

May 31, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011