World

With Radiation Levels ‘Extremely High,’ Japan Begins Helicopter Water Drops on Unstable Reactor

ZAO, Japan (AP/The Blaze) – Japanese military helicopters dumped loads of seawater onto a stricken nuclear reactor Thursday, trying to avoid full meltdowns as plant operators said they were close to finishing a new power line that could restore cooling systems and ease the crisis.

U.S. officials in Washington, meanwhile, warned that the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant in northeastern Japan may be on the verge of spewing more radioactive material because water was gone from a storage pool for spent nuclear fuel rods.

With Radiation Levels Extremely High, Japan Begins Helicopter Water Drops on Unstable Reactor

(Image: AP)

The troubles at several of the plant‘s reactors were set off when last week’s earthquake and tsunami knocked out power and ruined backup generators needed for their cooling systems, adding a major nuclear crisis for Japan as it dealt with twin natural disasters that killed more than 10,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

A Japanese military CH-47 Chinook helicopter began dumping seawater on the damaged reactor of Unit 3 at the Fukushima complex at 9:48 a.m., said defense ministry spokeswoman Kazumi Toyama. The aircraft dumped at least four loads on the reactor, though much of the water appeared to be dispersed in the air.

The dumping was intended both to help cool the reactor and to replenish water in a pool holding spent fuel rods, Toyama said. The plant’s owner, Tokyo Electric Power Co., said earlier that the pool was nearly empty, which might cause the rods to overheat.

The comments from U.S. officials indicated there were similar problems at another unit of the Dai-ichi complex.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko said at a congressional hearing in Washington that all the water was gone from a separate spent fuel pool at the plant’s Unit 4. Japanese officials expressed similar worries about that unit, but that it was impossible to be sure of its status.

Emergency workers were forced to retreat from the plant Wednesday when radiation levels soared, losing precious time. They resumed work after radiation levels dropped, but much of the monitoring equipment in the plant is inoperable, complicating efforts to assess the situation.

“We are afraid that the water level at unit 4 is the lowest,” said Hikaru Kuroda, facilities management official at Tokyo Electric Power Co. But he added, “Because we cannot get near it, the only way to monitor the situation is visually from far away.”

Japanese officials raised hopes of easing the crisis, saying early Thursday that they may be close to bringing power back to the plant and restoring the reactors’ cooling systems.

The new power line would revive electric-powered pumps, allowing the company to control the rising temperatures and pressure that have led to at least partial meltdowns in three reactors. The company is also trying to repair its existing disabled power line.

Tokyo Electric Power spokesman Naoki Tsunoda said the new power line to the plant is almost finished and that officials plan to try it “as soon as possible,” but he could not say exactly when.

Author’s note: Video has been updated

Comments (69)

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  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 9:05am

    The story reads:
    “Japan may be on the verge of spewing more radioactive material because water was gone from a storage pool for spent nuclear fuel rods.”

    Now they’re having problems with possible “melt down” in storage pools for spent rods? Do spent rod pools have the same kind of containment protections the reactor has?

    Report Post » BehindBlueEyes  
  • mcFirst
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 9:01am

    Pelosi is introducing a bill today. No nuclears plants within a 100 miles of a residence of a congress person. We cannot jeopordize any member of congress.

    Report Post » mcFirst  
  • Bigliardi
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 8:45am

    The media, like they do in every sensational event have blown this – according to many experts – way out of proportion….Remember when millions were going to die from the flu this past year, and we ended up having to throw away – at tremendous cost – millions of doses of unused serum….The media are never held accountable for their in many cases outright lies and fear mongering to the American public…They just say “oh well” and hope for something equally as sensational to come along…

    Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 8:35am

    I wish the reporter‘s would take their camera’s closer to the reactor’s. These pictures suck. But when I you dropped water from a 1000 ft in the air most of it is going to dissipate. Obama should send all of the greener’s over there to build a solar and wind power generators so they can get the electricity they need.
    Since Obama wants green jobs so much, then he ought to go over there and show them how its done.

    Report Post »  
  • The Infidel Alliance
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 8:33am

    …..600 days to go…..

    http://daysuntil.com/Election-President-US/index.html

    ~ The Infidel Alliance

    Report Post »  
  • Bushie
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 8:30am

    Wait…….why don’t they just get barry to spit on it. Isn’t he the ONE?

    Report Post » Bushie  
  • Bushie
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 8:25am

    Not to worry, barry made his picks for the NCAA.

    Report Post » Bushie  
  • rabblechat
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 8:18am

    It doesn’t seem like much, if any of the water is getting where it needs to be. Must be pretty bad if that is their only option.

    http://www.rabblechat.com

    Report Post » rabblechat  
  • donh2
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 7:57am

    Soon the water delivery system will be a bucket brigade of lab trained space monkies .

    Report Post »  
    • ThoreauHD
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 10:17am

      I’m afraid Obama canceled the space program. They only have terrestrial monkeys now.

      Report Post » ThoreauHD  
  • The Infidel Alliance
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 7:31am

    Anyone remember this:

    “This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.” – His Highness Borat Hussein Obumble al-Amriki, First Caliph of the 57 Islamic States of America

    I am counting down the days until Tuesday, November 6, 2012, when we will finally be rid of this fraud, this imposter, this pathetic, embarassing failure.

    ~ The Infidel Alliance

    Report Post »  
  • Rumsfeld
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:47am

    Incompetence absolute,fine the generator got knocked out,they brought a new one and apperently the “plug” didn’t fit? are you kidding? so instead of figuring out a way to splice the wires OR bringing in an actual pump and running some pipe,almost a week goes by till the power company arives??
    what a joke,this disaster is just like the Gulf oil spill where it seams common sense solutions have been left up to the college boys and committies,and a nation with no imagination or individuals.

    Report Post » Rumsfeld  
  • kurwa
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 3:44am

    . Glenn and his M&M’s said there is no problem and we need to support him on this. After all I thought we are on this site to accept his beliefs in all things otherwise we give in to the left wingers who are destroying this country. . Basically this nuclear incident is engineered by the left wing unions in Japan. George Soros has shares in Tokyo Electrical. Do you think that is a coincidence? Wake up your neighbours!!!

    Report Post » kurwa  
  • sk2700
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 1:17am

    Obama calls earthquake unacceptable, Hillary says Nuke meltdown unhelpful

    Report Post » sk2700  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 4:01am

      Thanks for the laugh. And Mr. Press secretary has reminded us that there is a very serious situation in Japan.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
  • MissCherryJones
    Posted on March 17, 2011 at 12:14am

    This entire Japan thing is a tragedy of unprecedented proportions. I’ve heard/read that the Japanese are not releasing the entire story of how the plant is doing. We have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they are doing all they can to contain this. And as much as I believe we should help them as much as we can, we have to keep our people safe as well.

    Report Post »  
  • Chicago Ray
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:59pm

    If they could actually lift Michael Moore, they could plug that freakin thing for good, he could squat like he does taking a dump and cover the entire thing ……perhaps they can use Ted The Swimmer‘s casket if Moore’s not available.

    Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
  • Matthew
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:47pm

    Forget seeing any real numbers on radiation exposure. Worse, in my opinion, the US likely to try same as Japan is doing (USA Today in past hour): “The Japanese government‘s radiation report for the country’s 47 prefectures Wednesday had a notable omission — Fukushima, ground zero in Japan’s nuclear crisis. Measurements from Ibaraki, just south of Fukushima, were also blanked out.”

    Report Post » Matthew  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:36pm

    Sky lift the stupid thing to Tehran. They pray every day for something like this.. Drop it on their doorstep all dressed up like a big 12th imam and tell them it’s a present from the Emperor..

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • MinorityRightsAdvocate
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:22pm

    As a trained and qualified nuclear plant operator, I have been following this very closely. The running summation of my take on this is included in this link, oh, and if have actually toured and had explained the GE BWR just like these in Japan so I actually have a fairly detailed understanding, if you want to know more feel free to check it out:

    http://minorityrightsadvocate.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/anti-nuclear-groups-pounce-on-the-tragedy-in-japan-as-an-opportunity-to-shut-down-any-future-nuclear-power-development-but-is-this-attack-really-fair/

    Report Post » MinorityRightsAdvocate  
    • dmforman
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:37pm

      Thank you for this information. This is what the news channels should be reporting. Thank you for your service.

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:43pm

      MinorityRightsAdvocate:
      Great link! Thanks…and I look forward to following your future posts here at the Blaze as well!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • MissCherryJones
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 12:11am

      Navy nuke? Thank you. (my brother is one)

      Report Post »  
  • EZDOZIT
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:21pm

    Have a small lake of fresh water that would use gravity to cool reactor in case of emergency.
    Place your back up generators farther inland to protect them.
    Have a back up pumping station farther inland for the cooling system in case primaries fail.
    This would not cost too much but it would have saved this plant.
    The sea water has destroyed it.

    Report Post »  
  • Col. HawK
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:20pm

    Nuclear Plants should be built underground, with Flooding Safety options…. As a power engineer, please listen to me…. for God’s sake…PLEASE!!….. and scrap Uranium and start using Thorium….. PLEASE!!!!

    Report Post » Col. HawK  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 1:52am

      Roger that, Col. Hawk. Below grade siting is superior. Plus, below grade siting allows placement of emergency coolant reserviors that would not require any power to cool the core.

      Report Post »  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 1:55am

      Correct again, sir. Thorium fuel cycle is the way to go in the long run (but I sure would like to burn up the existing mined uranium in a bunch of fast reactors in the nearer term).

      Report Post »  
    • BORDERMAN
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 2:20pm

      You know that I though of that underground with an emergency option to FLOOD with gravity.

      Report Post » BORDERMAN  
  • LIBERALSBEDAMNED
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:19pm

    http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=8087.6723.0.0

    Report Post » LIBERALSBEDAMNED  
  • Col. HawK
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:17pm

    Nuclear Plants, should be build underground…. with Flooding safety options…. As a Power Engineer, please listen to me !!! For God’s Sake!!! Please..

    Report Post » Col. HawK  
    • Sinista MACE
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:28pm

      Why wouldn’t you just use geothermal?

      Why play with radiation?

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 11:34am

      @ Sinista Mace

      Why not geothermal? Because economically viable “hot spots” are few and far between. The laws of thermodynamics dictate that efficient electrical power generation depends on large temperature differences between the heat source and the heat sink. Geothermal temperatures are usually so low that they have to use an organic rankine cycle that uses decane (or similar substance) as the working fluid. Very capital intensive.

      Report Post »  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 11:09pm

      Isn’t it sad that all our scientific research funding and projects have gone to an agenda driven politically correct hoax called global warming, instead of to honest scientific endeavors? Notice how most of the nuclear experts talk like high school grads and are still told to use plain english? Had our scientists and brilliant minds not been sideswiped by BS crap, just think how many possible advancements could have been made and improved nuclear energy. One company developed small nuclear power plants that have so many astounding safeguards built in, like automatic shut downs, 10yr refueling cycles, and more viable options than anything our ancient nuclear plants use now. The cost of this Global Warming Hoax and the agenda driven political correctness funding games have shown up in terms of advancement losses, technology losses, and a lot of wasted billions of dollars.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
  • David
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:15pm

    Tell me BLAZE, why do you have a story on American Idol? Do you want us to start watching mind numbing drivel?

    Who cares what is going on in that show? Someone should have a talk with whomever decided to write about “American Idol”.

    As for this story, keep them coming. I want to read about politics and REAL news, not the Bread and Circuses.

    Report Post » David, the Constitutional Libertarian  
  • MrMcNasty
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:03pm

    if They are using Helicopters to drop water from above…. it Has to be going into MELT DOWN!

    Report Post »  
    • LIBERALSBEDAMNED
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:11pm

      lol

      Report Post » LIBERALSBEDAMNED  
    • Sinista MACE
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:34pm

      …it’s BEEN melting down, they’re trying to STOP the meltdown.

      The media has been lying and downplaying the severity of the incident.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • bullcrapbuster
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 12:40am

      The problem has been seriously overblown by the media and the rumor mill. Why are they not doing more you ask? Because they will have the pumps up and running shortly. This story is 90% hype and because the plant called a nuclear power plant people are being scared stupid. Bullcrap bullcrap bullcrap and a bit of radiation to boot.

      Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:01pm

    What does Washington know of the Japanese nuclear problem…probably nothing.
    The Japanese know what they are doing and are doing it very well… Thanks.

    Report Post » banjarmon  
    • mwhaley
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:18pm

      I’m sure President Pookie has lazier like focus on the problem. After all he is master of the sea levels.

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:20pm

      you mean obama is not very smart

      Report Post »  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:36pm

      Wait, Mwhaley,
      Are you suggesting Obama CAUSED the tsunami? With his magical sea lowering and raising powers?
      Good point! Your sense of humor is razor sharp.
      Funny thing is, there were lefties DEAD SERIOUS about blaming Katrina on Bush.

      HappyStretchedThin  
    • SavingtheRepublic.com
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:41pm

      ok stupid question: Why cant they roll in some tankers and just start pumping water in or fire trucks and roll in cpl lines?

      Other question why not just pump concrete into these things and seal them?

      Report Post » SavingtheRepublic.com  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:42pm

      If only they could get the rods below sea level …

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:56pm

      My understanding is that Japan’s nuclear scientists and engineers are as good or better than any in the world. They know what they’re doing. Still, although they may not have initially, they’re consulting experts from around the world and asking both for material support and searching for viable options.

      The US and other countries have been trying for a week or more now to provide whatever support the Japanese need and ask for: expertise, boots on the ground, equipment (generators for example) and water. The world is responding with all the vigor and with all the speed they can. The events in Japan are on a scale beyond what any of us can imagine or have ever experienced. This is tragedy of Biblical proportions on the one hand, but it also a display of human nature at it’s best on the other.

      This website would have you believe the Obama administration is out playing golf while Japan burns, but the United States started moving support to Japan the day this event occurred and has continued to respond every day with more people, supplies, medicine, equipment and expertise. You won’t read it here but dollars from American citizens started flowing to Japan from the first day.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 12:04am

      I hope they know what they are doing, and are hope they are doing it well. But I can’t help feeling that things are way out of control and they are just trying anything. It is looking very desperate. Keep praying.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 12:12am

      The Japanese Nuclear plant workers & army are doing a great job .
      They’re heroes to work in a such danger zone .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 1:31am

      JZS,
      That was a really great post until you brought up the Obama administration. Nobody is saying they are all out playing golf. His apparatchiks are busy transforming America, while the Toxic Tyrant hacks up the golf course.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 9:23am

      Extremely high, oh panic, panic, crisis left unused, all life in gulf of Mexico killed due to oil spill, blah, blah, blah, will people never understand liberals lies?

      Report Post »  
    • Dandylyon
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 9:57am

      YA,dropping water into the air like that is like takeing a leak on a forest fire.These clowns don’t have a clue and never did.

      We as human‘s have always messed with thing’s we know very little about in order to be comfortable and fill our pocket’s,you can bet the people that designed these plant’s are no where near them and could care less.Our inability to deal with nuke tech was bound to get to us sooner or later.Nothing was learned from Chernobyl and nothing will be learned from Japan,we do not have the “will” to change.At least most of us,seems the Germans are doing something.

      Report Post »  
    • Gold Coin & Economic News
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 10:07am

      After watching the water drops from helicopters it doesn’t look like they did much good. A few drops of water covering the rods isn’t going to do much.

      Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on March 17, 2011 at 10:54pm

      Recommending the site Radiation Network at http://www.radiationnetwork.com to anyone interested in monitoring radiation levels. This is a non-governmental site where citizens with radiation monitoring equipment have their readings linked in real time online. If you have this equipment, you can participate if you want to. Software costs, but is probably worth it. So far CA levels have spiked lower than some areas background radiation levels. Highest Counts per minute are Colorado, then the east coast, and the pacific northwest readings are next highest. CA counts have been as low as 12 and as high as 38 CPM. The danger zone is over 100. Saw Boulder, CO at 79 CPM once today.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
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