Nepal imports 300 MW of electricity from India to address domestic shortage caused by hydropower damage

KATHMANDU, Sept 29: Incessant rainfall has caused damage to various hydropower projects and transmission lines.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh said that the rainfall over the past two days across the country has damaged the headbox and powerhouse of the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, the 22 MW Mandu Hydropower Project and the 22.1 MW Hewa Khola Hydropower Project.

Similarly, the physical structures and equipment of the 216 MW Upper Trishuli 2 Hydropower Project, under construction in Rasuwa, have been damaged. According to Spokesperson Ghosh, five workers at the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project are missing.

Similarly, the Khimti-Lamosangu transmission line has also been damaged. The NEA reported that Tower No 7 of this transmission line was swept away by the flood, disrupting the electricity supply to Kathmandu. Additionally, the transmission line from Damak to Godak has also been damaged, with Tower Number 51 being washed away by the flood.

Spokesperson Ghosh stated that the flood has also damaged the transmission lines of the Solu Corridor and Koshi Corridor. After the flooding and landslides caused damage to power plants in Nepal, the Nepal Electricity Authority has imported an additional 300 MW of electricity from India.

Most power companies have relocated their employees to safer locations after the floodwaters began to rise.

Earlier on Friday night, Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka, while warning of potential heavy loss of life and property due to continuous rainfall, urged residents living near riverbanks and landslide-prone areas to remain cautious.

He had also urged all workers, employees, and engineers working on hydropower and irrigation projects being constructed along the rivers to stay in safe locations.

The NEA reported that while around 3,000 MW of electricity was being produced in Nepal, the recent flooding and landslides over the past two days have reduced current production to only 1,300 MW.