Nuclear Fuel Rods at Japanese Reactor Exposed Again: Reports

Nuclear fuel rods at a quake-stricken Japanese power plant were exposed for a second time on Monday, local media said, quoting the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co.

The rods, normally surrounded by water, are overheating and risk melting down if water levels in the reactor vessel fall so low as to leave them largely exposed. A meltdown could damage the vessel and lead to a large radiation leak, experts say.