Residents of Kurils can be evacuated if situation in Japan gets worse

15.03.2011 Russia's Eastern Military District is ready to evacuate servicemen and population from Kuril archipelago and Sakhalin Island if radiation environment gets worse because of accident in Japanese nuclear power plant, reported Tuesday RIA Novosti referring to a spokesman for Eastern Military District.

Magnitude 9 earthquake occurred in Japan on March 11 and caused a 10-meter high tsunami wave. Japanese nuclear power plants Fukushima-1 and Fukushima-2 were turned into emergency mode due to disabled coolant systems. On March 12 an explosion burst in Fukushima-1, and a 20-km evacuation zone was imposed around the nuclear power plant. On Monday the third nuclear unit exploded. On Tuesday the explosion occurred in second reactor of the troubled Fukushima-1. Later on Tuesday, Japanese government reported about a fire outbreak at fourth nuclear unit.

"By order of Eastern Military District Commander Konstantin Sidenko, our officers along with other regional authorities monitor the situation at nuclear power plants. According to estimates, the District is capable to provide timely evacuation of servicemen, their families, and civilians from Kuril range and Sakhalin Island if needed", said the official.

According to him, Pacific Fleet ships and transport aircrafts will be involved to complete this task. Despite limited transport infrastructure on the islands, the evacuation will be carried out at the stated time if necessary.

Accommodation possibilities of the Far East's continental part have been already analyzed. In particular, available housing facilities and military health resorts can accommodate evacuees. If needed, medical service is able to provide full-fledged health maintenance.