Are we prepared for a nuclear radiation disaster?

The news that is circulating the media these days is that Kudankulam Nuclear power plant is leaking radiation. Located few hundred miles from the Northern peninsula of Sri Lanka in South India, Kudankulam power plant should be viewed as a threat to Sri Lanka.

Commissioned against the public protest in South India, and a reserved objection by the Sri Lankan authorities, it is said to be radioactive and leaking radiation from February 27.  South Indian people’s concern over the building of a nuclear power plant in a densely populated area and very close to coast which is rich in sea resources is understandable.

Brain child of Former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Ghandi and Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev, The Power plant is a joint Inter-governmental venture commissioned as the result of the agreement signed in 1988 between Rajiv and Gorbachev. The   construction of the plant had to progress at a limping speed because of the fall of Soviet Russia and the Anti- nuclear protest.

Initially opposed even by the USA government for the negligence in adhering to the 1992 terms of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The question raised by the protesters at present is; “Is the power plant secure enough to withstand a disaster like the one that struck Fukashima in Japan?” People raised their objection highlighting that, there are more than One million people living within 30 KM radius of the power plant which is against the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board stipulations. And in the event of a disaster like Fukashima it is impossible to evacuate such a large number of people.

Public fear is understandable after the aftermath of Japanese Tsunami disaster. Since then Germany has started to shut down all its 23 nuclear power plants, and USA too looking for renewable energy sources.  England too agreed on policy wise to close down nuclear power plants. While the Western world is looking out for energy sources other than nuclear power. They have understood the safety concern of a  nuclear power plant and dumping of nuclear waste safely.

Whereas, 3rd world countries like Iran, India, Pakistan and North Korea are extremely interested in enriching Uranium and operating Nuclear power plants.  World has witnessed 3 huge nuclear power plant disaster already, to begin with Chernobyl in Russia followed by the Bhopal and Fukashima.  Hiroshima and Nagasaki Nuclear bombing by USA during the 2^nd world war is a prime example of radio activity even after half a century. Still those two cities in Japan are haunted and inhabitable. Still women give birth to deformed children as a result of radiation passed on by their ancestors to the next generation.  Fish caught off the California coast in USA found to be infected with radiaction of the Fukashima disaster.  Only last year Russians were able to cover the Chernobyl nuclear radiation completely at an expense on 18 billion Rubbles and 500 000 workers. The Chernobyl accident happened in 1986, with 31 deaths although causality count is disputed.

Indian too has its own example, though not a nuclear disaster but the worst industrial disaster to date.  

On 3 December 1984, a Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal leaked around 32 tons of toxic gases. The official death toll was initially recorded around 5,000. Many figures suggest that 18,000 died within two weeks, and it is estimated that around 8,000 have died since then of gas-poisoning-related diseases. The new born children still suffer from serious birth defects, even after generations.

Significance of the issue for Sri Lankans is this power plant is just under our nose in Northern peninsula and in the event of a disaster like Fukashima we are the ones who will be directly affected.   

Although Japan was well prepared for a disaster in the event of an earth quake and Tsunami they were caught empty handed with the magnitude of the earth quake and the force of Tsunami waves. 

Although the claim of radiation leak at the Kudankulam nuclear plan is politically motivated at a time where Indian government is side-lining themselves with USA against the Sri Lankan government in the UN Human Rights Commission, to pass a resolution calling for investigation of War crimes.  The objection raised by the Sri Lankan authorities is questionable and below their standards.  Initially they failed to educate the Sri Lankan people on the construction of nuclear power plant just under our nose. Secondly their objection was limited to a request to visit the power plant and issuing a report based on the guarantee given by the Indian Atomic agency.

It is not too late for the Sri Lankan government to raise its concern to the Indian government. To point the ecological unbalance that this power plant would make to the sea bed immediately. And the air pollution, and the fear of the public. If the Indian government is unwilling, take the issue too much higher forums and lobby against the construction and commissioning of a nuclear power plant right next to Sri Lankan border.   Further point out the out dated technology which is going to be used in enriching Uranium rods to produce electricity.

Local Tamil saying is “build the dykes before it floods”, so it’s not too late to act.