Fukushima records new high in radiation levels

 

Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has recorded a new high in radiation levels around tanks storing contaminated water in two days.

 

The nuclear authority recorded ground readings near one set of storage tanks at 2,200 millisieverts (mSv) on Tuesday, which was 1,800 mSv on Saturday, the BBC reports.

 

The readings have been depicted high enough to expose someone standing near the area without protective gear to lethal radiation within hours.

 

However, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) said the areas were easily contained.

 

The plant was crippled by the March 11, 2011 earthquake-cum-tsunami that knocked out the reactors cooling systems, leading to the meltdown of at least three of them.

 

The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) had started storing contaminated water to cool the reactors, but the storage of large quantities has proved a challenge for the company.

 

Japan announced on Wednesday that it will spend an estimated 473 million dollars to build "ice wall" around the Fukushima nuclear plant to stop radioactive water leaks into the Pacific Ocean.