Press Releases from Nuclear Power Corporation on the Impact of Tsunami that struck Kapakkam on 26-December-2004
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS UNAFFECTED BY TSUNAMI (January
10, 2005)
Man has to live with natural calamities. Wisdom lies in effectively meeting the challenges
of such situations and ensuring safety of human life and property. In nuclear power
plants(NPPs) the whole spectrum of such natural calamities, and highly improbable accident
conditions, are factored in site selection and design. These key site selection and design
features ensure the safety of nuclear power plants during natural calamities.
A very conservative approach is adopted during the site selection, design, construction,
commissioning and operation of NPPs. Natural calamities like earthquakes, flooding,
tsunami and cyclones are considered during site selection and design of NPPs. The grade
level of the plant is kept well above the maximum expected flood level.
For instance, NPPs in the country are designed to be safe under high seismic intensity
corresponding to the maximum earthquake potential of the site. The integrity and safety of
NPPs was amply demonstated during the 2001 – Bhuj earthquake of magnitude 7.6, which
severely affected a large part of Gujarat including Ahmedabad and Surat . The Kakrapar
Atomic Power Station (KAPS) situated near Surat , kept operating safely during and after
the earthquake and continued to supply much needed power to the state of Gujarat.
When the tsunami of December 26, 2004, struck the east coast of India , Unit-1 of Madras
Atomic Power Station(MAPS), at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, was already under long shutdown
for major refurbishment and modernization. Unit-2 of MAPS, which was operating at that
time, was brought to safe shutdown state. While the water level remained below the grade
level of the plant, water ingressed through the sea-water intake tunnel causing
submergence of some of the sea water pumps. The shutdown core cooling systems remained
operational and the core was maintained in safe shutdown condition. A detailed inspection
of the plant and its systems both by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited(NPCIL)
and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), was carried out and the plant was restarted
on January 2 nd 2005.
Two NPPs of 1000 MWe each are under construction at Kudankulam about 22 kms from
Kanyakumari . The tsunami remained well below the grade level of the plant. Even the
temporary structures erected at the shore of Kudankulam nuclear power plant were not
damaged, or breached, during the tsunami and there was no damage to the plant.
(S.N. Ahmad)
Executive Director (Corporate Services)
Imapct of Tsunami on 26th December 2004, at Kalpakkam Site (26,
December 2004)
Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS): Water in Sea Water pump house at MAPS rose as a result
of rise in sea water level leading to submergence of sea water pumps. Unit no.11 of Madras
Atomic Power Station which was operational was stopped and brought to safe shut down
status. Unit no. 1 was already in safe shut down state for long term rehabilitation
activities. Both Units at MAPS are completely safe and there is no concern with regard to
any radiation release.
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor: Construction work at this project has just commenced.
Concreting of raft at the bottom of the excavated pit was in progress. The pit got flooded
as a result of tsunami tide. The Construction work will restart after dewatering and other
investigation as necessary. Subsequent to the preparation of this press release, one body
was found in the foundation pit of PFBR.
There is no concern about radiation release from any facility at kalpakkam site. There
have been no casualties in the maps plant area.
Residential Colony: Parts of DAE township that are adjoining the sea coast have suffered
impact of tsunami tide. Water and slush gushed. In some of the buildings. Some of the
people who where nearer the coast line got caught int he tidal wave leading to fatalities.
Among them 5 are members of the DAE staff.
A camp was opened in Anupuram part of the DAE colony to temporarily take care of those
needing relief support. Medical support has been mobilized. The water and electricity
supplies in the affected areas has been resumed. Today morning everybody from the camp
have returned back.
Report of Tsunami that struck Kalpakkam on 26.12.2004 (26, December
2004)
Maps : With the rise in sea water level the level in sea water pump house also rose
leading to submergence of pumps. The reactor Unit-2 which was operating was shut down and
kept in shutdown mode. Unit-1 is currently under shutdown for long term refurbishment.
Both units are safe and there is no danger of any radiation.
Fast Breeder Test Reactor : This reactor is away from the coast line and did not have any
impact of Tsunami.
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor Project (Under Construction) : The concreting at the base
of excavated pit was in progress as a result of Tsunami tide the pit has got flooded. This
would be dewatered and construction resumed after appropriate investigations.
Residential Colony : The parts of the residential colony near the coast line have been
badly affected as a result of neck deep Tsunami tide. Two churches, the colony hospital
(OPD area) and ground floor of houses got watered and slush brushing in, number of people
got swept with tidal waves. Five members of DAE staff (3 officers and 2 staff) 25
relatives of employees and 29 others have died as a result. People needing sheltering have
been temporarily accommodate9 in a camp. Water and electricity supply have been restored.
Medical relief has been organised.
General : There is no radiation or nuclear related concern in any of the facilities as
Kalpakkam.
Madras Atomic Power Station Safe (26,
December 2004)
Madras Atomic Power Station experienced flooding of sea water pump house around 9:15
hrs on 26th December 2004 due to very high tidal waves. This effected the operation of
condenser cooling pumps of Unit-2 which was operating at 210 MW. The turbine was
immediately tripped, and consequently Reactor got shutdown. The unit was brought to cold
shutdown state. The cooling systems of the unit are working and unit is under safe
shutdown condition. THe other unit, Unit-1 is already under long shutdown condition for
refurbishment.
Unit-2 of Madras Atomic Power Station is one of the 14 nuclear power plants of India.
These nuclear power plants, contribute 2770 MW and are being operated and maintained by
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
(R.Mago)
General Manager (Corporate Communications & Public Awareness)
Madras Atomic Power Station Safe (26, December
2004)
Madras Atomic Power Station experienced flooding of sea water pump house around 9:15 hrs
on 26th December 2004 due to very high tidal waves. This effected the operation of
condenser cooling pumps of Unit-2 which was operating at 210 MW. The turbine was
immediately tripped, and consequently Reactor got shutdown. The unit was brought to cold
shutdown state. The cooling systems of the unit are working and unit is under safe
shutdown condition. THe other unit, Unit-1 is already under long shutdown condition for
refurbishment.
Unit-2 of Madras Atomic Power Station is one of the 14 nuclear power plants of India.
These nuclear power plants, contribute 2770 MW and are being operated and maintained by
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
(R.Mago)
General Manager (Corporate Communications & Public Awareness)
Madras Atomic Power Station Safe (26, December
2004)
Abnormal tidal waves hit the eastern coast of southern India in the morning on 26/12/2004
where Madras Atomic Power Station and other installations of the Department of Atomic
Energy are located The Power Station was immediately brought in safe shutdown condition.
All nuclear installations at site are safe and there is no danger of radiation release.
The situation at Kalpakkam township, hit by tidal waves, is being attended to.
(A.R.Gore)
Senior Executive Director (Operations)