Fukushima Power Plant Two Years Later: A Typhoon May Cause Another Major Radiation Leak

A fierce typhoon is headed toward Japan’s northeast coast, where it is expected to hit the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant Wednesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned Tuesday.

The storm is described as the “strongest in 10 years,” with winds reaching nearly 125 miles per hour near its center, AFP reported.

"It is expected to have a great impact on the traffic systems in the (Tokyo) area during commuting hours," said Hiroyuki Uchida, the JMA's chief forecaster.

The impending typhoon comes as Fukushima, which was destroyed by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, was said to have leaked the highest levels of radiation into the sea since the catastrophie.

Japanese officials say there is no environmental threat as the radiation will be diluted by the sea water. The operators of the Fukushima plant, Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc. (TYO:9501), said it was preparing for this week's typhoon.

"We are making preparations for proper management of contaminated water. ... We will patrol places that could have inflows of water," a company spokesman said.

Tokyo has been selected to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assured the International Olympic Committee that the radioactive contamination would be under control.