LATEST: Japan is pushing 50000 rescue staff into quake and tsunami-devastated areas as officials warn they expect the death toll to "rise greatly". The United States, with almost 50000 troops stationed in Japan, sent aircraft carriers to waters off the disaster zone as the relief effort gathered pace. On the east coast of Japan's main island, Honshu, where at least 3600 houses were destroyed, there were some hope as army helicopters airlifted people off the roof of an elementary school in Watari, Miyagi prefecture. Miraculously, naval and coastguard choppers rescued 81 people from a ship that had been dragged out to sea by the tsunami. NUCLEAR THREAT Meanwhile, Japan is evacuating tens of thousands of residents from around two nuclear power plants. Officials today warned of a possible radiation leak as authorities battled to contain rising pressure at the plants 240km north of Tokyo. Tokyo Electric Power Co said it had begun to release pressure at its two nuclear power plants in Fukushima. Altogether, five nuclear reactor units - two at the Fukushima No. 1 plant and three at nearby Fukushima No. 2 plant - are in a state of emergency. All five units were shut down after the massive quake Friday. Underscoring grave concerns about the Fukushima plant, the US air force delivered coolant to avert a rise in the temperature of its nuclear rods but officials said a leak was still possible because pressure would have to be released. Kyodo news agency reported that authorities had ...

The earthquake and tsunami which caused massive destruction at Fukushima, also wiped out entire communities. People who lost their homes are living in overcrowded shelters while the clean-up operation goes on. But even after that's finished, many will still have nowhere to go, as RT's Igor Ogorodnev found out. RT on Facebook: www.facebook.com RT on Twitter: twitter.com
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