Work to restore power to Japan’s troubled nuke plant resumed

Work to restore power supplies to three troubled reactors at Japan’s quake-hit Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant resumed early on Tuesday, the Kyodo news agency reported, quoting plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co.

On Monday, a cloud of gray smoke emitted by the No. 3 reactor led to the evacuation of workers who were trying to restore power supplies to the plant.

Early on Tuesday, plumes of white smoke were reported rising from the buildings housing the No. 2 and No. 3 reactors. Kyodo quoted on Tuesday Japan’s defense chief as sayings smoke from the No. 3 reactor was likely to be caused by burning debris.

A powerful earthquake and ensuing tsunami that hit Japan on March 11 triggered a number of explosions at Fukushima, spreading fears of massive radioactive contamination.

The electricity supply, which could take up to three days to be restored, will run an automated cooling system in the damaged reactors and pools containing spent nuclear fuel.

TOKYO, March 22 (RIA Novosti)