Japan Latest: Another Explosion at the Nuclear Plant

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. 

1605 GMT: The radiation levels around the Fukushima nuclear power plant are twice as high as previously recorded, according to Japan's Kyodo news. Fuel rods once again became exposed at the number 2 reactor as the Tokyo Electric Power Company attempts to stabalize the situation there. When water is added to the reactors, it evaporates, raising the risk of an explosion as pressure builds.

Japanese media is reporting a risk of meltdown in all three of Fukushima's reactors.

The IAEA has distributed 230,000 iodine tablets to residents near the Fukushima nuclear power plant. 

Interactive: Before and after satellite images depict Tsunami Damage

1544 GMT: Reuters is reporting that the fuel rods at Fukushima nuclear reactor number 2 have been fully exposed again. This is breaking news, updates momentarily.

1452 GMT: How bad is the radiation in Japan? Bad enough for U.S. warships to move further off-coast after radiation was detected on the clothes of several servicemen. It is still unclear how much radiation has leaked, or how much will continue to leak, but the USS Ronald Reagan detected radiation 161 km away from the Fukushima plant. 

1412 GMT: The AP is reporting that the explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, inside the second reactor, damaged reactor unit 2, where water levels dropped and the nuclear fuel rods were completely exposed. Sea water is now being added to unit 2 in order to prevent meltdown.

The explosion was the result of sea water pouring into unit 3, causing the buildup of hydrogen that ecentually exploded. 

0915 GMT: The official toll is now 1,833 dead, at least 2,369 missing, and 1,898 injured.

Al Jazeera English reports that at least 18,000 people are currently unaccounted for in the town of Rikuzentakata.

0755 GMT: A girl, confined to check for radiation exposure, greets her dog through a protective window:

Photo: Reuters

0540 GMT: The official death toll is now 1,647, with at least 1,720 people missing and 1,990 injured.

0510 GMT: Japanese media are reporting that at least 2,000 bodies have been found in the Miyagi Prefecture in the northeast, the hardest-hit area by the earthquake and tsunami

About 1,000 bodies washed ashore on the Ojika Peninsula and another 1,000 were seen in the town of Minamisanriku, where half of the 19,000 population is missing.

Japan Sunday LiveBlog: Tension over the Nuclear Plants

0500 GMT: There has been another explosion at the Fukushima nuclear complex, crippled since Friday's earthquake by a failure of the cooling system.

On Sunday, authorities had warned of a build-up of hydrogen at the No. 3 reactor plant, and the blast occurred this morning. There is no indication that the core of the reactor has been threatened, but Japan's nuclear safety agency cannot confirm if there has been an uncontrolled leak of radioactivity.

Eleven people are missing after the incident.

The explosion was similar to that at the No. 1 reactor plant on Saturday, which collapsed the walls and took the roof off a buiding.