Japan has resumed from 2 p.m. Friday its efforts to drop cooling water on the number three reactor at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which suffered a hydrogen explosion. The troubles have been caused by an overheating of the reactors, which have lost their cooling ability due to equipment damage from the recent earthquake and tsunami.

Excessive heating of the reactors leads to a meltdown and a release of hazardous radiation.

The NHK released footage filmed 35 kilometers above the number three nuclear reactor, showing steam being emitted since 2 p.m. It said that seven fire trucks from the Self-Defense Forces are spraying water.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters at around 11 a.m. Friday that the government would step up efforts to pour water by teaming the Self-Defense Forces’ fire engines and helicopters with the fire department.

Meanwhile, the Sankei Shimbun daily says the spraying of water is having some impact as the radiation levels near the number three reactor have been steadily dropping.