KHOTANG, June 20: A massive landslide in Patheka of Khotang district has destroyed a canal of a local mini hydropower project, shrouding the whole village in darkness.
The landslide triggered by incessant rainfall that started on June 13 had washed away the canal belonging to Nakham Khola Mini Hydropower Project, following which residents of Patleka, Diktel Rupakot Majuwagadhi Municipality-10, are compelled to live in darkness.
Lack of electricity has affected all the schools of Patheka as they cannot operate computer labs. Likewise, offices, mills, corporate finances among others have also been affected.
Lack of canal threatens livelihood of Baitadi village
“We also have not been able to charge our cell phones, severely affecting information and communication,” said Shaharman Rai, secretary of the Construction Consumer Committee.
The mini hydropower project, which has a capacity of 60 kilowatt, has network of consumers throughout the village.
According to the committee, 541 households were benefitting from the hydropower project, which was constructed with the joint efforts of the locals and the local bodies.
The landslide has damaged 25 meters of the canal. It is estimated that the project has sustained damage worth Rs 1.5 million after destruction of the canal, informed the consumer committee.
“We do not have sufficient financial resources to repair the damage,” said Agni Prasad Rai, chairman of the consumer committee. “If we could manage some financial source for the repair, it could take around a month to resume electricity distribution,” he added.
The same mini hydropower project had sustained massive damage in the catastrophic earthquake of 2015 as well, causing damage of around Rs 2.1 million.
