Even as Japan, cooping with the worst ever natural calamity it faced after the Second World War, was struggling to cool with water the heated up reactors at the earthquake and tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, columns of smoke were seen billowing today afresh from the plant’s unit 2 raising new concerns.
The smoke was suspected to be coming out from the partially exposed nuclear fuel rods in unit 2 of the plant after four of its six reactors experienced explosions resulting in fears of spread of radiation in the last few days.
Authorities have continued their efforts for the second day today to douse the units with water, using helicopters and fire engines.
“Dealing with Unit 3 is our utmost priority,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told media persons in Tokyo this morning.
The quake and tsunami have resulted in severe power shortages in Japan and closure of several industries. The natural calamity triggered a plunge in Japanese stock prices.
