Photo: Reuters
1930 GMT: Late on Monday, Tokyo Electric Power said that repeated attempts to pump seawater into the Fukushima nuclear reactor have failed. Over the course of the day, water levels have dropped multiple times, leaving the fuel rods uncovered. Earlier, it looked as though this situation has improved, but the latest report, according to the New York Times, is that the water level in the second reactor is at critical level. Malfunctioning vents, designed to release pressure from the containment tanks, have stopped working.
If the fuel rods are not adequately cooled by the sea water, the containment tanks could crack or rupture, releasing large amounts of radioactive material into the air.
These reports contradict some of the earlier reports from the Japanese government.
1907 GMT: The wind is now shifting towards the south. There are concerns that these winds could carry radioactive air towards Tokyo.
1856 GMT: Another aftershock. Just moments ago a 5.7 earthquake has rocked northern Japan.
The BBC has this first hand account about the mood on the ground:
Mikan in Tokyo writes: "There is a growing sense that the Japanese government is not telling us the true story. On one end, there is the Japanese media that plays down the nuclear drama and focuses on human drama, and at the other, the foreign media is up-playing the nuclear disaster. In my company I heard at least half the essential staff is being sent to Hong Kong, Singapore or even Sydney. I am preparing to leave Tokyo and/or Japan. So are many of my friends. There is a sense of deserting Tokyo as soon as possible."
1814 GMT: Many eyes are on Japan's nuclear power plants, but the real threat might be the weather. Temperatures are plunging, and many are without food, water, shelter, or electricity. Even those not directly impacted will have to live with rolling blackouts. Snow is expected in the following days, which will further impact those without utilities. Snow will likely hinder the search and rescue operations as well.
IAEA is reporting that there is no chance of a nuclear chain reaction. Thus far, the release of radioactive meterial has been limited. The primary threat is that hydrogen explosions could further impair efforts to cool the nuclear fuel rods. Either these explosions or the overheated cores could then further compromise the caintainment walls of the reactor, leading to large-scale radiation leaks. As of this moment, this has not occured.
Reuters has released this picture of the Fukushima nuclear power plant reactor 3 after a hydrogen explosion yesterday.
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 5:59 | 
