The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on the Unit 2 power plant caused a cleaning robot to malfunction, signaling alarming levels of radiation. Japan continues to suffer from the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake disaster that rendered left their nuclear power plants in ruins.
A recent incident indicates that efforts of cleaning up the radioactive Daiichi plant might be hindered. According to CTVNews, a drone was dispatched to the nuclear site with hopes to clear some debris.
Supposedly, the drone would clear a passage to make way for another remote-controlled machine to inspect the nuclear plant. However, the drone reached an area along a connecting bridge that had significantly higher levels of radiation.
The readings revealed that certain areas had an abrupt spike in radiation levels while while areas below the core had lower radiation readings. The nuclear core should have higher amounts of radiation compared to other parts, but that's not the case here.
After two hours, the drone's cameras started to malfunction as lots of noise was visible on its display. This is a clear indication of the instruments failing due to high levels of radiation.
The cleaning machine was eventually pulled out of the nuclear site before it completely loses its functional capabilities. Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesperson Takahiro Kimoto said that the results of the operation were puzzling and needed to be thoroughly analyzed.
TEPCO was supposed to send the second drone "Scorpion" into the nuclear site. However, the recent incident suggests that might take longer than expected.
Meanwhile, the rising levels of radiation in Japan's nuclear plant is starting to become an even bigger problem. According to TheWashingtonPost, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is an even worse case than the Chernobyl incident that occurred in 1986.
The report mentions that the radiation levels in the Daiichi plant is "astoundingly high." One radiation measurement taken inside the compound reached as high as 530-650 sieverts.
Some scientists worried about the alarming levels of radiation found within the plant even after 6 years since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster occurred. TEPCO assured concerned individuals that no radiation's leaking out of the reactor.
