DOLAKHA, Oct 19: Preparations are underway to partially resume operation of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, which has a capacity of generating 456 megawatts of electricity.
According to Mohan Prasad Gautam, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the project, preparations are underway to partially resume operations after the project was closed due to damage caused to the headworks by flood and landslides followed by heavy rainfall on September 27 and 28.
In Lamabagar-1 of Bigu Municipality, Dolakha, a building near the dam of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project was buried in a landslide, resulting in the deaths of four people. He mentioned that efforts to remove the landslide are underway.
All units of Upper Tamakoshi connected to national grid
According to CEO Gautam, damage to the Kavrebhir road- the access route–, has made it difficult to transport equipment to the dam site. He stated that this has caused delays in the repairs. Repair work on the dam will proceed once the materials, including stones, sand, and gravel, piled up at the site have been cleared.
"We will start generating electricity right after the Tihar festival," he said. Damage has occurred to structures such as the control room, sand settling pond, and canal, located to the right and a bit below the dam site. The project has indicated that it will take time to fully resume electricity production due to the extensive damage caused by the landslide to various structures.
Due to flooding in the river located along the access route from Gongar to the dam, there have been difficulties in transportation, according to CEO Gautam, the promoter of the project. The landslide has resulted in a significant accumulation of stones and silt in the reservoir area.
It is said that the damage from the flooding and landslides amounts to Rs 2 billion. The project stated that it has lost daily revenue of Rs 40 million due to the halt in electricity production. It is estimated it will take at least six months to complete all repair works.
