Japan races to restore power
Baku, March 18 (AZERTAC). Japanese engineers are frantically trying to avert a catastrophic release of radiation from the crippled Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant north of Tokyo.
Officials said they hoped to fix a power cable to at least two of the six reactors in the hope of restarting water pumps and were preparing to douse them in the afternoon with water from fire trucks.
Japan`s nuclear agency spokesman conceded that a "Chernobyl solution" of burying the reactors in sand and concrete was in the back of the authorities` minds.
Millions in Tokyo remained indoors today, fearing a blast of radioactive material from the complex 240 km (150 miles) to the north, though prevailing winds would likely carry contaminated smoke or steam away from the densely populated city to dissipate over the Pacific Ocean.
Japan`s nuclear disaster, the world`s worst since Chernobyl in Ukraine 25 years ago, has triggered alarm and reviews of safety at atomic power plants around the globe.
US president Barack Obama, who stressed the United States did not expect harmful radiation to reach its shores, announced that he had ordered a comprehensive review of domestic nuclear plants and pledged Washington`s support for Japan.
"In the coming days, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure the safety of American citizens and the security of our sources of energy," he said. "And we will stand with the people of Japan as they contain this crisis, recover from this hardship, and rebuild their great nation."
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