LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant unit 1 is creating concerns of a nuclear meltdown. Radiation levels have risen at the Fukushima Daiichi operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. confirms Kyodo agency. Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said in a news statement today that its radiation levels around the Fukushima Daiichi Plant have risen beyond safety thresholds prompting news announcement of an “emergency situation”.

But Fukushima Daiichi is not presenting a threat to human health today, so claims TEPCO.

During Friday’s 8.9 earthquake, Fukushima Daiichi suffered damage to its cooling system. The plant is located roughly one hundred fifty miles north of Tokyo. During live news coverage on CNN Saturday, an explosion was depicted. Now as radiation levels are rising, officials claim that winds are blowing south and the situation is getting worse.

Japan Earthquake Maps
Japan Earthquake Map 1
Japan Earthquake Map 2
Japan Earthquake Map 3
Japan Earthquake Map 4

Plant officials claim that reactor suffered increasing pressure after its reactor’s emergency cooling system damaged in the earthquake.

Tokyo Electric would not confirm any injuries to date except one employee inside the reactor building, who at the time of the damage, suffered radiation exposure.

But on Sunday, Japan officials began evacuation of two hundred thousand residents in a roughly thirteen mile radius around Fukushima Daiichi. Government officials confirm that potassium iodide pills have been distributed as fears grow that iodine and cesium are now in the air.

San Francisco Tsunami Pictures
San Francisco Tsunami Photo 1
San Francisco Tsunami Photo 2
San Francisco Tsunami Photo 3

But how many residents are injured?

Federal officials just don’t know but put current estimates around 160 people. Moreover, while officials confirm Fukushima Daiichi unit 1 has been damaged, they admit that the condition of the nine remaining reactors remains in jeopardy as well.

• Comments (0)

ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Operation Tomodachi is being sent by the U.S. Marines to aid Japan. Operation Tomodachi (“friendship” in Japanese) was confirmed by U.S. Marine officials in a news statement this weekend. Initial resources being deployed include personnel and services.

The initial movement will be from U.S. Marine stations in Okinawa to the impacted regions of Japan. Personnel dispatched will include initially the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Equipment being confirmed to news will include KC-130J cargo aircraft and CH-46E transport helicopters.

The U.S. Marines told news Friday that the aid effort is being headed out of the Yokota Air Base in Japan. The base has, since the tragedy, also served as a shelter for 600 people.

Japan Earthquake Maps
Japan Earthquake Map 1
Japan Earthquake Map 2
Japan Earthquake Map 3
Japan Earthquake Map 4

In a statement to news Friday, Lt. Col. Damien M. Marsh, commanding officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 explained that personnel will rely exceptionally on the use of helicopters to “provide commanders with the greatest flexibility of options,” for Operation Tomodachi.

San Francisco Tsunami Pictures
San Francisco Tsunami Photo 1
San Francisco Tsunami Photo 2
San Francisco Tsunami Photo 3

Personnel on the U.S. Marine installations at Okinawa have been preparing since the 8.9 earthquake struck. The III Marine Expeditionary Force said in its news statement that it was promptly “prepositioning forces and supplies in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.”

• Comments (0)