DHAKA: Japan’s nuclear authority plans to conduct radiation contamination surveys at 600,000 points on the seabed off the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, up from 200 places so far.

A report said on Saturday, according to The Straits Times.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority is to survey the spots in a 1,000 sq km area stretching 50km north-south and 20km east-west off Fukushima, the Yomiuri newspaper said.

The survey is to measure caesium levels to assess the long-term effect on marine resources of radiation that has been leaking from the stricken plant since it was struck by a tsunami in 2011, the daily said.

No immediate comment was available from the authority on Saturday.

BDST: 2039 HRS, SEPT 14, 2013
RoR/RIS