#Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Reactor No.4 Radiation Abnormally High, Government Asking US Military to Spray Water From Air

(UPDATE) THE REACTOR NO.4 IS ON FIRE AGAIN.
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Here I was, thinking things have calmed down a bit over in Japan..

From Asahi Shinbun (in Japanese, 3:02AM Japan Time, 3/16/2011):

• Repair workers cannot enter the Reactor No.4, which had an explosion [now they are saying it was an explosion, not just fire] due to highly elevated radiation level.

• There are two 8-meter square holes on the building's northwest wall. When TEPCO went inside the building to measure the radiation on the 4th floor, it measured 400 milli-sievert (400,000 micro-sievert).

• The storage pool is located on the 5th floor, but they couldn't not proceed from the 4th floor as the radiation was too strong.

• TEPCO confirmed that there was still water in the storage pool at noon (3/15/2011) through the hole on the side wall, but since then they haven't been able to confirm.

• Not just inside the Reactor No.4 but also outside, they measured 100 milli-sievert radiation. TEPCO's emergency workers cannot work for more than 1 hour in that radiation level without endangering themselves.

• The Japan's Self Defense Force is considering dropping water from the helicopter, though it is not clear how effective that would be. TEPCO announced on March 15 that it plans to ask the US military for assistance. If the US military agrees, the water dumping may start on March 16.

And my ex-forest fire fighter friend who fought the Big Sir fire back in 1977 doubts the US military has the expertise.

As far as I've gathered, there is no hole in the roof. So the water from the bucket dangling from the helicopter has to go to the storage pool through the hole(s) on the side wall, though we are not told where exactly those holes are on the wall. That is a one tricky maneuvre.

My friend says what TEPCO needs are the best forest fire pilots in the world, who do have the expertise and experience.

CALLING BRAVE, BEST HELICOPTER PILOTS IN THE WORLD WHO CAN DROP WATER SIDEWAYS INTO A DAMAGED NUCLEAR REACTOR...

Take a look at this design. The storage pool is on the top floor, right beneath the ceiling, with no lid. Who designed this? Well, it is the company that just paid over $15 million to its CEO for his stellar performance.

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