Japan battles to cool three nuclear reactors

• Hydrogen explosion at Unit 3 of Fukushima Daiichi plant • Reports of 2,000 bodies found in Miyagi prefecture • Tsunami warning appears to have been false alarm • Read the Guardian’s latest news story on the explosion Click here for a summary of events so far 2.13pm: Justin McCurry, the Guardian’s Tokyo correspondent, emails to say the water level inside the No. 2 reactor at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has recovered to a level of about two metres, according to Kyodo News . The rods were fully exposed for about two and a half hours, according to Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency. 2pm: Here’s a summary of events so far today: • A “core meltdown” might have occurred at reactor 2 Fukushima Daiichi . NHK World reports, as fears grow over the safety of the nuclear plant continues. Fuel rods are reportedly fully exposed. The nuclear and industrial safety agency (NISA) has tried to circulate the coolant by steam instead of electricity, but NHK reported that attempts to lower the temperature inside the reactor chamber have not worked well. NISA is reportedly also considering opening a hole in the reactor housing building to release hydrogen generated by the exposed fuel rods. • A hydrogen explosion at the number 3 reactor at the Fukushima No 1 nuclear injured 11 people . The blast had been anticipated and was similar to the explosion seen previously at the number 1 reactor. It has not, apparently, damaged the reactor itself or the containment vessel and authorities said radiation levels were normal around it. • Police are reporting that about 1,000 bodies have been found in Minamisanriku and another 1,000 on the Ojika Peninsula coast in Miyagi. Miyagi has been the worst hit prefecture. Video footage is continuing to emerge revealing the force of the tsunami that swept into north east Japan. • Plans for rolling black outs in Tokyo and the surrounding area are currently suspended. Many private firms have voluntarily halted business or taken other measures to help reduce demand; although supply has been hit badly by the nuclear plant closures, it is still keeping up with consumption at present. Other countries have been reviewing their nuclear programmes in the light of events in Japan. Switzerland has suspended plans to replace and build new nuclear plants and Germany is expected to is expected to announce the suspension of plans to extend the life of its nuclear power stations later today. Click here to read the previous Guardian blog charting the day’s events so far . Japan earthquake and tsunami Japan Natural disasters and extreme weather Nuclear power Adam Gabbatt guardian.co.uk

Posted by on March 14, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.