Can you believe this photo?!
An area is covered with darkness without lights.
It's in Tokyo.
This is the "planned blackout"
Media focuses on radiation issues and tragedy caused by tsunami. However, it also caused a shortage of electricity supply, food supply and water supply.
Damage on the power stations of TEPCO in Fukushima resulted in shortage of electricity supply.
"Planned blackout" is a technical way of avoiding a large scale blackout in Tokyo where critical institutions and governmental agencies are located. Tokyo and other 8 prefectures and divided into 5 groups (except central are of Tokyo) and each group experience 3-hours of no electricity per day. Well, some have twice a day.
No transportation, no light, no heaters...
Worse thing is that planned blackout do not allow exceptions, meaning no stoplights at carrefour, no medical device including respiratory apparatus.
Those who do experience blackout at night see total darkness. And STARS!!!
I think that all people in Japan are together working hard to save electricity. The planned blackout is the one big effort.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there are some sad facts behind the story.
At least one old man was killed by CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning while he was using a genelator inside his house during blackout. At least two people were hospitalized because of CO pisoing caused by using a protable clay cooking stove with charcoal called "shichirin" or a charcoal braizer called "hibachi."
Also, several traffic accidents happned at crossroads buring planned blackout that turn all traffic lights off. At least one was killed by an accident, one in a serious condition, and several injured.
I sincerely hope no more sad insident will be caused by blackout.
Reina