Japan’s nuclear reactor starts melting, detection of leakage

Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has stated that there has been detection of 2 radioactive substances, namely, cesium and radioactive iodine at the Fukushima Number One nuclear power station.

State broadcaster, NHK World reported that the leak has been detected near the Number One reactor of the nuclear power station which is about 140 miles north of Tokyo.

The agency spokesman Yuji Kakizaki told Bloomberg that Fuel rods at the No. 1 reactor at the plant run by Tokyo Electric Power Co. may be melting after radioactive Cesium material left by atomic fission was detected near the site. If the fuel rods are melting and this continues, a reactor meltdown is possible.

Dismissing suggestions of a Chernobyl-type destruction, officials try to placate the residents that even if the meltdown occurs, leakage would be minimal provided if proper venting is done.