Heavy rainfall damages 13 hydropower projects, irrigation systems across Nepal

KATHMANDU, Oct 6: Incessant rainfall on October 3-4 caused damage to 13 hydropower projects, disrupting the electricity supply of 105.4 MW and causing losses worth Rs 100 million to irrigation projects across Nepal.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation estimated the losses caused by landslides and floods in various rivers and streams at Rs 100 million. Speaking at a press meet on Sunday, Minister Kulman Ghising said 1,500 meters of embankments have been eroded across the country.

Government records show that the Kankai River eroded about 200 meters of embankment along the lower right bank of the Postal Highway in Gaurigunj-2, Jhapa, submerging around 114 houses in Hoklabari village. About 500 hectares of paddy fields were damaged, while 200 meters of embankment in Kuwadi, Jhapa Rural Municipality-2 eroded, causing losses worth Rs 7.5 million.

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The Mechi River inflicted damages of around Rs 5 million to structures in various locations. Flooding along the Keshaliya River in Biratnagar displaced 75 households. Similarly, damage worth Rs 2.5 million was reported to the Pateruwa embankment on the eastern bank of Kamala River in Siraha-17.

In Rautahat, 60 meters of the Lalbakaiya River embankment was washed away, inundating 100 hectares of paddy fields. About 120 meters of embankment in Boudimai village was damaged, submerging 200 hectares of paddy fields and houses, with losses estimated at Rs 6 million. In Mahottari, the Rato River washed away embankments, causing damage worth Rs 80 million.

Flooding in the Sunkoshi River also submerged the under-construction dam site of the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multipurpose Project.

Minister Ghising noted that the core irrigation systems were largely protected thanks to timely precautions. “The gates of the head regulator, main canal, and branch canals were opened on time to safely divert floodwaters in the irrigation system,” he said.

Meanwhile, the heavy rainfall affected 13 hydropower projects in Ilam, halting production of 105.4 MW of electricity. A preliminary report from the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN) indicated that five under-construction hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 93 MW, located in Pachthar, Ilam, and Sindhupalchok districts, were disrupted by the recent disasters.