News
Friday, October 21, 2011
Karachi nuclear plant leaks, but no damageKARACHI: A nuclear power plant imposed a seven-hour emergency after heavy water leaked from a feeder pipe to the reactor, but no radiation or damage has been reported, an official said on Thursday.
The leakage at the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant, commonly known as KANUPP, started around midnight on Tuesday during a routine maintenance shut down, said Tariq Rashid, a plant spokesman.
The 137-megawatt power plant, which started commercial operations in 1972, is located about 24 kilometres to the west of Karachi.
“During the emergency no radioactivity was recorded. None of our staff is affected,” said the official. “The plant was already shut down since October 5 and the leakage started during maintenance checks,” said Rashid.
He said the emergency was imposed at the plant immediately after the leak and the affected area was isolated. The emergency was lifted seven hours later, after the leak was brought under control. “The situation is completely under control and no damage or radiation has been reported, though it will slightly delay the reopening of the plant,” Rashid said. He said the plant will be operational again in 4-5 weeks.
KANUPP supplies 80 megawatts of power to the Karachi Electric Supply Company, the city’s main power utility. reuters
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk