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Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan 'unready for typhoon' | Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan 'unready for typhoon' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is not fully prepared for heavy rain and winds of a typhoon heading towards the country, officials admit. | Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is not fully prepared for heavy rain and winds of a typhoon heading towards the country, officials admit. |
Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), which runs the plant, said some reactor buildings were uncovered, prompting fears the storm may carry radioactive material into the air and sea. | Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), which runs the plant, said some reactor buildings were uncovered, prompting fears the storm may carry radioactive material into the air and sea. |
Typhoon Songda is expected to hit mainland Japan as early as Monday. | |
Fukushima was heavily damaged by the deadly 11 March quake and tsunami. | Fukushima was heavily damaged by the deadly 11 March quake and tsunami. |
'Inappropriate measures' | 'Inappropriate measures' |
"We have made utmost efforts, but we have not completed covering the damaged reactor buildings," a Tepco official said on Saturday. | "We have made utmost efforts, but we have not completed covering the damaged reactor buildings," a Tepco official said on Saturday. |
"We apologise for the lack of significant measures against wind and rain," the official added. | "We apologise for the lack of significant measures against wind and rain," the official added. |
Tepco has been pouring anti-scattering agents - such as synthetic resins - around the damaged buildings of reactors one and four. | Tepco has been pouring anti-scattering agents - such as synthetic resins - around the damaged buildings of reactors one and four. |
But some of the buildings still remain uncovered after they were damaged by hydrogen explosions soon after the quake and tsunami struck. | But some of the buildings still remain uncovered after they were damaged by hydrogen explosions soon after the quake and tsunami struck. |
A special adviser to Prime Minister Naoto Kan criticised Tepco, saying that the current safety measures "cannot be said to be appropriate". | A special adviser to Prime Minister Naoto Kan criticised Tepco, saying that the current safety measures "cannot be said to be appropriate". |
Adviser Goshi Hosono added: "We are now doing the utmost to prevent further spreading of radioactive materials". | Adviser Goshi Hosono added: "We are now doing the utmost to prevent further spreading of radioactive materials". |
Typhoon Songda - with winds up to 216km/h (134mph) - was moving north-east and could hit Japan on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. | Typhoon Songda - with winds up to 216km/h (134mph) - was moving north-east and could hit Japan on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. |
It was unclear whether Fukushima could be directly in the path of the storm. | It was unclear whether Fukushima could be directly in the path of the storm. |
Tepco and Japan's government have faced widespread criticism - both at home and abroad - over their handling of the Fukushima crisis. | Tepco and Japan's government have faced widespread criticism - both at home and abroad - over their handling of the Fukushima crisis. |
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