Reporting from Vienna on the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi the UN Atomic agency - I A E A -  Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security said that although there had been early signs of recovery in some functions such as electrical power and instrumentation, the overall the situation at the plant remained very serious.

Deputy Director General Flory also said that the leakage of water from the sidewall of the pit closest to the sea had been stopped; “On 6th April it was reported that the leakage of water from the sidewall of the pit closest to the sea has stopped after coagulation agents (liquid glass) were injected into the holes drilled around the pits. Work continues to prevent further releases to the sea.” ~ Denis Flory, Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, IAEA

He furthur went on to say; “As of 5th April, I-131 and Cs-134/137 was detectable in drinking water in a small number of prefectures. All values were well below levels that would initiate recommendations for restrictions of drinking water. As of 6th April, one restriction for infants related to I-131 (100 Bq/l) is in place as a precautionary measure in only one village of the Fukushima prefecture.” ~ Denis Flory, Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, IAEA

On 5 April, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a press release indicating that a new provisional regulation value was set for I-131 at a limit of 2000 Bq/kg in fishery products. And as of 4th April, food restrictions were in place in the prefectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, T°higi, and Gunma - and in Katori City, Tako Town and Asahi City in Chiba prefecture.

There are also restrictions on the consumption and distribution of headed and non-headed leafy vegetables, and flower-headed brassicas, and unpressed raw milk in some areas.

Another powerful earthquake struck in the northeast of the country on the 7th, but no damage was detected at the Fukushima Daiichi plant from the latest quake.

Courtesy: United Nations and I.A.E.A.