The Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam was in no way affected by the earthquake that took place under the sea off Indonesia on Wednesday.
According to a release from the Kalpakkam station, as soon as the authorities came to know of the earthquake at about 2 p.m., contacts were made for checking the impact on Andaman and Nicobar as to whether there were any level changes in the sea.
Simultaneously, an emergency procedure available for tsunami was organised.
“As a precautionary measure, the reactor power was lowered.” Subsequently, it was ascertained that there was no effect on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and according to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service (INCOIS) the warning system has given only an alert.
The checklist for preventing flooding essential equipment area was carried out and also the availability of the emergency services was ensured.
Again, at 4.30 p.m. the authorities got a message of the earthquake, whose magnitude was 8.2 on the west coast of Sumatra. Subsequent to this, continuous contacts were established with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also Hyderabad.
“We were preparing to shut down our reactors if we get any significant information on tsunami at Nicobar Islands. As the information didn't indicate any tsunami effect, we kept the reactor in operation.”