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I've been praying for everyone's safety, hope that nothing else happens down there. That's that last thing anyone needs after this chain. -sends hugs and prayers-
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rescue efforts
Russia rescuers in Japan extricate 60 bodies of dead from under debris
17.03.2011, 18.22 TOKYO, March 17 (Itar-Tass) - Russian rescuers extricated 60 bodies of the dead from under debris in two days in the area of the Japanese city of Sendai, stricken by the devastating earthquake and tsunamis, Itar-Tass learnt from head of the rescue group and top ranking official of the Russian Ministry for Emergencies Andrei Legoshin. “We have searched an area of 30 square kilometres as of this Thursday. Regrettably, we have not found live people,” Legoshin said by telephone. According to the head of the rescue group, specialists cleared up on Thursday debris with the use of light equipment. Besides, rescuers make constant measurements of radiation background due to the precarious situation at the Mukushima-1 nuclear power plant. “The radiation level is now normal in the Miyagi prefecture,” Legoshin noted. The head of the rescue group compared the nature of destruction with what he saw in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. However, according to Legoshin, great quantities of water remain in the area of Sendai due to the local terrain, interfering with rescue operations. “The volume of work is tremendous. All areas are covered with mutilated cars and various fragments. Therefore, it is difficult to move around,” Legoshin noted. His group was joined on Thursday by 50 officers of the Centre for Special Risk Operations, called Leader, and 25 members of the Far Eastern regional search and rescue detachment, who arrived in Japan on Wednesday. The Russian group is the largest among those who arrived in Japan: it consists of 161 people. ITAR-TASS News Agency |
It had been one week since the quake, and the full scale of the disaster is still not known. Some officials have said that the numbers of dead cannot be less than 20,000, while another went as far as saying that more than 50,000 may have died.
The aftershocks continue, though less frequent than before. I am on the 8th floor of a new building in Shinjuku working in my office, and from time to time I can feel it shaking. Rolling blackouts are occurring throughout the city as there is a shortage of electricity. Workers are going to work hours earlier so as not to be late, and some offices are releasing staff early so workers don't become stranded should evening blackouts stop the trains from running. People are buying as much food and supplies as they can, there are long lines at stores, and empty shelves. It is impossible to find batteries, bottled water, toilet paper, or instant ramen. Strangely enough, there seems to be p,entry of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meats. As usual, people are overreacting. A power line has finally been established at the Fukushima nuclear plant which should allow the plant's cooling pumps to start working again. The pumps should begin operating within the next few hours. Hopefully this averts any further temperature increases at the plant, and it should help reduce the further release of radiation. |
Thank you, Sangetsu. This is very helpful in painting the picture of what is going on.
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One of the big problems with figuring out the numbers of casualties is the extent of the damage, records of residents have been destroyed, or simply cannot be found. Residents are supposed to register with their local ward offices when moving or relocating, but it appears that large numbers of people haven't been registering, or have not renewed their residency papers or cards, which means the numbers of people living may be significantly higher than recorded.
Many shops and stores have turned off their lights to save electricity. Across the street at the next building I can see office workers using the outside stairs to get to the their offices, as elevators could stop without warning during a blackout. The building is 15 floors tall, so many workers are getting a good workout. The streets of Shinjuku remain crowded with shoppers, though the McDonalds across the street seems to be doing less business than usual. I will go there for lunch as it looks like I won't have to wait long, and it will be easier to get a seat. |
Here's probably the best scientific explanation of what's going on at the reactors I've seen so far. Hopefull will allay some peoples fears out there ;)
YouTube - (Subbed) Nuclear Boy うんち・おならで例える原発解説 |
I continue to be amazed at how the western media keeps hyping the reactor story "Japan Working Frantically to Avert Nuclear Disaster", or "Radioactive Plume Heads Toward California" without mentioning that the level of radiation remaining in this "plume" (whatever that means) is so small that it can't be discerned from natural background radiation.
The levels of radiation measured within 5 kilometers of the plant aren't dangerous enough to threaten life, and the levels continue to decline, why the he'll do these stupid stories continue? As of this afternoon, the amount of radiation measured outside the plant is about the same one would experience naturally on an international flight, yet basic information like this is not shared. And the western media still hasn't reported that a power line has been run to the reactor coolant pumps, which should help cool the reactor. But then again, if people knew that a disaster was not imminent they might decide to turn off the tv for awhile, and we can't have that happen at the current hourly advertising rate. |
I've totally given up on the western media. Not looking at any of it anymore. They keep trying to tell a story that has nothing to do with reality but with what they probably wished was reality as it would sell more papers and keep TV ratings up. It's a very sad indictment of the western media and of also of all the numbnuts who believe them.
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