Wow, massive 8.9 quake off Sendai’s coast yesterday causing a pretty devastating tsunami. The live footage being streamed in NZ does not make a pretty picture and our thoughts are with all those affected.
Of huge concern is the net effect on the Fukushima nuclear power plant which is struggling with an automatically-disabled cooling system. To quote from Stuff.co.nz:
“Japan’s nuclear safety agency said pressure inside one of six boiling water reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant had risen to 1.5 times the level considered normal. Hours after the evacuation order, the government announced that the plant in northeastern Japan will release slightly radioactive vapor from the unit to lower the pressure in an effort to protect it from a possible meltdown.”
This has caused the Japanese govt. to issue a Nuclear Emergency alongside the national state of emergency. In total, ten Japanese nuclear reactors have been shut down.
Terrible news about Japan Earthquake and Tsuami – pictures of tv footage has me in tears everytime i see them.
The good news is that Stephane and I spoke to our flatmate Shinga yesterday morning from Tokyo. He and his family are ok but he has relatives in Sendai and is unable to hear from them cause of the network failure. He said that Tokyo is still shaking all the time and it was very frightening. Can only imagine the fear you all had (people of NZ) with the Tsuami alert especially because Greg your family live so close to the beach. Thank God you are all safe and well. Prayers and thoughts are with the Japanese people at this time. God bless, Leanne x