The Fukushima nuclear power station dumped contaminated and radioactive water into the ocean after a rush of water, caused by Typhoon Etau, which lead to the site’s drainage pumps to overflow.
Typhoon Etau has caused massive flooding in Japan, prompting thousands to evacuate. Twenty-three people are missing and three have been confirmed dead.
The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) told the public that hundreds of tons of radioactive water leaked from the Fukushima facility, yet TEPCO maintains that this poses no risk to the environment. The radioactive water continues to be contained at the Fukushima site because it needs to be stored in special reservoirs. TEPCO claims that they are taking preventive measures to protect the Fukushima site; however, the flooding and leaking of radioactive water into the ocean suggests otherwise.
“The torrential downpour is threatening safety at the Fukushima nuclear plant, closed since the 2011 disaster, as it has overwhelmed drainage pumps at the site’s contaminated water treatment facility,” a Japanese government official reported to ABC News.
As of Friday, the rain has let up and has given some relief to the overwhelmed pumps at the Fukushima site. What damage the already leaked radioactive water will do, only time can tell.
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