Indian nuclear experts have expressed serious concern about the fears of a catastrophic meltdown and the release of radiation following the massive tsunami that hit Japan on Friday.
The explosion near the No. 1 reactor at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power station injuring four people has caused a serious rise in radioactive levels they point out.
Nuclear pacifist Praful Bidwai expressed fears that the “fuel rods of the reactor should not melt because if this happens a reactor meltdown is possible as what happened in Chernobyl in Russia.
“At present three of their reactors are in trouble. Reactors are shut down immediately in case of an earthquake but their cooling systems must not be allowed to stop working. Their (Japanese) main efforts at present will be to keep their cooling systems operational and for that they need to get the auxiliary power systems operationalised at the earliest,” added Mr Bidwai.
Tokyo Electric started releasing radioactive gas and steam into the atmosphere following the tsunami as a way to reduce the pressure in the containment housing after Friday’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake. The utility has also started preparing to vent gas from the containment areas of four reactors at the nearby Fukushima Dai-Ni nuclear plant.
Nuclear expert Bharat Karnad with the Centre for Policy Research pointed out that the nuclear reactors in Japan were built to withstand high frequency earthquakes.
“Japan is presently drawing one-third of its country’s total electricity from nuclear powers. As long as there is no fuel damage, there will be no radioactivity. But of course, the situation at the moment is one of great concern.”
When asked whether India should pursue the nuclear power route, Dr Karnad, “What are the options we have at present. Green technology is excellent but where does the government have land for square kilometres of photo voltaic cells. We have to wait for Nano technology to enter in a big way.” Dr Rajaraman , a nuclear physicist with the JNU, was optimistic that the situation would be brought into control.