The name Hiroshima and Nagasaki are known around the world yet most people remain ignorant of the reality and the meaning of atomic destructions. At 8:15 AM on 6th August 1945 in Hiroshima and then at 11:02 AM on 11th August 1945 in Nagasaki atomic bombs were dropped for the first time in human history. Measured by the capacity of today’s nuclear weapon these first bombs were small indeed even so in an instant living things were robbed of life, bodies were burnt and material objects were reduced to dust and ashes.
The damage in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was caused by combination of heat, blast and fire. The energy of Nagasaki bomb exceeded that of Hiroshima whereas the damage was greater in Hiroshima because of difference of topography and distribution of buildings. The city of Hiroshima is relatively flat and located on fan shape delta of Ota River. Approximately 60% of buildings were within two kilometres of Hypocentre. The atomic bomb burst nearly over the centre of the city. Nagasaki stretches longitudinally along the valley of Nagasaki and Urakami River. Only 30% population was within two kilometres Of Hypo-centre, therefore damage differed in these two cities. Before bombing there were approximately 76,000 buildings in Hiroshima and 5100 buildings in Nagasaki out of that 36% were damaged in Nagasaki while in Hiroshima it was approximately three times greater than that in Nagasaki, maximum buildings were damaged completely.
As estimated by a commission, In Hiroshima there were 45,000 deaths, 91,000 injuries out of which 19,000 died in subsequent four months. In Nagasaki there were 22,000 death 42000 injured, out of which 17,000 died in next four months. Near the centre of explosion people were simply vaporised by the scorching heat leaving only their shadows embossed into the stone work of walls or on roads. 65% Casualties required hospitalisation from the first day of attack the presence of physician merely given the sense of security to the exposed survivors substantial and efective medical care was not possible. Acute medical effects of Hiroshima and Nagasaki blast injuries were maximum near Hypo Centre while burned cases were maximum upto 1 to 2.5 kilometres from Hypo Centre. The incidence of epilation, oropharyngeal lesions, diarrhoea and anorexia and purpura were more other symptoms were vomiting nausea haemorrhage fever bloody diarrhoea and necrotic gingivitis epilation and purpura were usually occurred together and was considered the most specific sign of radiation injuries. Bone marrow depletion by radiation was the most critical damage leading to death. After exposure to 300 rads platelet, lymphocyte and neutrophil shown progressively marked reduction which was maximum 30th day of exposure.
As per the radiation effect research Foundation reports, the Delayed medical effects Of atomic bomb on the population of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was Horrible. Keloids and over growth of scars, blood disorders, eye lesions, disturbance of reproductive function, foetus exposed in uterus had growth and development disorders, Malignant tumours, chromosome changes, genetic effect, ageing and decreased lifespan. Nuclear atomic bomb survivor was noticed to have severe Psycho-neurological disorders, immunological disorders, among the blood disorders the leukaemia was most common. Analysis showed that the risk for all types of leukaemia excluding chronic lymphocytic leukaemia increased with the radiation dose in both cities the risk at every radiation dose level had been greater in Hiroshima than Nagasaki. The maximum number of leukaemia was observed between 1950 and 1953 with a peak in 1951 after that incidence is decreasing but still higher in exposed population as compared to non exposed population.
Multiple myeloma, malignant lymphoma, polycythaemia vera, myelofibrosis and the aplastic anaemia were the other blood disorders related to exposure. A definite correlation between exposure dose and the increased malignancy incidence of thyroid, breast, lungs and stomach has been reported. The incidence of chromosomal aberration was closely related with the distance from hypocentre and radiation dose in Hiroshima survivors. Incidence was quite high up to one kilometre beyond 1 kilometre incidence was very low. Incidence was higher in Hiroshima than Nagasaki. There was effect on foetus exposed in uterus, foetal mortality rate in exposed to radiation up to 23 .3% while in control it was 2.7%. Infant mortality rate was 26 .1% while control was 3.6% . Microcephaly and mental retardation 25% while in control it was zero percent. In males loss of sexual desire was frequent during first two to three months after the explosion. Out of 124 cases studied one third had decreased sperm count. Sterility was noticed among the considerable number of exposed men within 1.5 kilometre. 72% of 500 women studied showed menstrual disorders after exposure. Due to the atomic bomb radiation lenticular opacity was noticed in nearly 55% of population exposed to more than 100 rads, keloids were noticed in 30 to 50% of burn cases, keloid occurred mainly on exposed parts such as face neck and extremities.
Collapse of administrative structure, the major facilities such as Prefectural Office, City Hall, Fire Department, police station, national railroad station, post offices, telegram and telephone offices, broadcasting stations and schools were burnt totally. Street, cars, road, electricity, gas, water and sewage facilities were damaged beyond use. In the overall breakdown of the cities the administrative organs also was subject to the confusion and collapse no aid was available to the seriously injured person who barely survived the atomic Holocaust. Hiroshima and Nagasaki being in air defence zone had a special civil defence system along with first aid, a sanitation team and emergency hospital. There was well established evacuation system, evacuation shelters, food and clothing. Medical staff sustained severe injuries and died in Inferno. Passive radiation further deteriorated the situation and greatly increased the number of casualties despite the desolation and suffering of the atomic bomb victims
Psychological Impact was so bad that immediately after bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki people were startled by flash they fell down covering their head and eyes with their hands, in the split of seconds they plunged into the state of mental blankness. In the next stage the survivor realised the chaos. They lost the capacity to make decision and instinctively sought to escape. Every survivor thought that he or she had direct hit which made him or her to seek escape. Entire population had psychological and mental weakness they had lack of concern for their kins, they had feeling that they are surviving with dead, this led to a great psychological stress. It was increased further by death within the family which caused problem for the social readjustment of survivors.
As the year passed psychology was dominated by a feeling of shame for the death of relatives. They had fear of developing cancer. premature ageing and genetic defect, mental retardation and congenital anomaly in their offspring. War orphaned children had problems of emotional development and psychological adjustment. Severe demoralisation and apathy, feeling that world has ended, loss of memory place and objective seems transitory, drastic reduction in the working capacity, disorganisation of the interpersonal relations, aggressiveness and irritability nightmare and irrational behaviour were the other psychological effects noticed as a consequence of nuclear bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. not only personal lives families and neighbours but the entire community life, all the social structures and functional organs built up over many years were burned and blasted into oblivion. Countless people lost parents, friends and relatives their household and the place of work were reduced to rubble. The survivors from these two cities still continue a unique population. With rehabilitation conviction emerged that they have got the message to give to the whole world that they alone among all mankind have experienced the death and Desolation of the nuclear bomb if the Leaders of the world realise and understand Desolation caused by nuclear bomb then they will never think to drop a nuclear bomb on each other’s country.
By:
Vishisht Seva Medal, Chikitsa Ratan, Senior Consultant Thyroid and Diabetes, Former Member ( Minister of State) NDMA, Ministry of Home Affairs
