Japan Nuclear Crisis Remains ‘Very Grave’ as Forecasts Show Shifting Winds (toward Tokyo)

[jpak]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-18/japan-nuclear-crisis-remains-very-grave-as-forecasts-show-shifting-winds.html

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan’s nuclear crisis remained “very grave” as forecasts indicated changing winds could start moving radiation closer to Tokyo by the end of the weekend.

Engineers are working through the night to restore power to two reactors at the crippled Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant in a bid to get cooling systems running again. By March 20, the weather may take emissions toward the capital, 135 miles (220 kilometers) south of the station, Austria’s meteorological center said, using data from the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization. At current levels, the radiation isn’t dangerous beyond the immediate vicinity of the plant, the center said.

Japan faces a “battle with time,” International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano said after meeting ministers in Tokyo. A magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami a week ago knocked out Fukushima’s back-up generators, pitching workers into a battle to keep the plant cool and stem radiation from the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl 25 years ago.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. said it may finish reconnecting a power line to the No. 1 and No. 2 reactors by tomorrow morning. The electrical link would be used to restart pumps needed to protect fuel rods from overheating. However, it’s possible the water pumps, damaged in the tsunami, might not work even with power, a Tepco official said.

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[SpoonFed]

1. "may finish reconnecting a power line"

I think their procedure goes something like this...

a) measure the radiation at the plant but don't tell anyone the actual values
b) if the radiation is crazy high, go to step a) after attempting some lame tv stunt
c) reconnect external power line(s)
d) try to turn on the internal systems
e) find that they are non-functional
f) cry and tell a litte lie

We may avoid f) because a) and b) may take 10,000 years. :P