Chernobyl power cut sparks fears of potential for radiation leaks

Matthew Sparkes is a writer.

A power cut at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has raised fears of a radiation leak. Without electricity it will be difficult to cool ponds that contain hazardous nuclear waste and to filter the air inside the containment building that houses the remains of the reactor that was destroyed during an unfortunate disaster in 1986.

The cooling systems of the storage facility for spent nuclear fuel will stop after 48 hours.

The spent nuclear fuel from Chernobyl is stored in a large cooling pond that is constantly filled with fresh, cold water to keep its temperature down. The cooling of the site has stopped because of the lack of electricity, which will allow the water temperature to rise and increase the rate of evaporation.