An explosion on Monday at Daiichi nuclear reactor complex rocked the second nuclear reactor out of three reactors. But, according to the officials, the radiation levels near the reactor were safe.
Authorities have been struggling to cool down the nuclear reactor with seawater after the earthquake and tsunami on Friday damaged the water system and generators for backup which were used in regulating the temperature inside the nuclear reactor. On Saturday a similar explosion occurred at the second reactor.
The operators of the nuclear reactor plant are being compelled to release the radioactive steam outside as a process for emergency cooling which can take up to a year. The operators are required to fill the reactors with seawater and then releasing the radioactive steam into the atmosphere.
After the explosion, Tokyo Electric, the owner of the nuclear reactor plant stated that they have lost the ability for cooling the third reactor. Workers were again preparing to use seawater which can again cause an explosion.
According to Yukio Edano, chief cabinet secretary, the vessel holding the radioactive nuclear rods at the nuclear reactor was intact, thus minimizing the health risk for the public. Television footage of the nuclear reactor building showed a similar damage as the one provoked by the blast on Saturday having the walls blown off.
Workers are struggling to avoid the melting of the radioactive core which can release radioactive substance into environment and hence posing a major health risk. Meltdown is actually a layman’s description of complete collapse of plant and the ability for controlling the temperature.
International scientists have warned about a risk of disaster similar to Chernobyl as there is still danger at Japanese nuclear reactors. The Chernobyl reactor in Ukraine had no containment shell at the time of its destruction in 1986.