Incessant rains have damaged the powerhouses and transmission lines of more than a dozen hydropower projects, disrupting electricity supply across much of the country.
According to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh, several hydropower projects, including Likhu-1, Likhu-2, Likhu-A (with a combined capacity of 157 MW), Lower Likhu (28.1 MW), Khimti, Upper Khimti, Mandu Khola (22 MW), Lower Hewakhola (22.1 MW), and Upper Tamakoshi have sustained either partial or complete damage. The powerhouse of the Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project has also been affected. Additional damage has been reported at Upper Solu, Middle Solu, Dudh Kunda, Middle Tamor, and the Sanimamai Hydropower project, as well as transmission lines in the Kabeli Corridor.
Ghosh noted that the powerhouses of these hydroelectric projects have been partially or fully submerged, causing a complete halt in electricity generation.
In the Maikhola area, the flood has completely damaged Tower 51 of the Damak-Godak 132 kV transmission line, further impacting the Kabeli Corridor. As a result, electricity supply has been completely disrupted in Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung districts of Koshi Province, leaving these areas in darkness. Ghosh mentioned that it could take two to three days to restore electricity in these regions, depending on weather conditions.
Additionally, a tower on the Khimti-Lamosanghu transmission line was damaged by floods in the Tamakoshi River, affecting power supply to other parts of Nepal, including Kathmandu Valley. Floods have also blocked the Dhalkebar-Pathalaiya transmission line, leading to power outages in many Terai districts. Since this line is crucial for exporting electricity, its disruption has impacted power exports as well.
To address the situation, backup electricity is being supplied from Tanakpur to some areas in the western Terai. In the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts, electricity is being supplied on a rotational basis. Ghosh said that full restoration could take several days.
Balaram Khatiwada, secretary general of the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN), reported that no human casualties have been recorded in the flood-affected hydropower projects. However, financial damage assessments are still underway, and detailed reports will be published within the next few days in coordination with the affected projects.
Unstable Electricity Supply in the Kathmandu Valley
Electricity supply in the Kathmandu Valley has been unstable since Friday night due to the persistent rain. The NEA reported that the rain has damaged critical infrastructure for electricity transmission and distribution.
Normally, the valley's electricity demand is around 400 MW, but this dropped to around 200 MW on Saturday due to the outages. While power was restored in some areas by Saturday evening, many locations remain without electricity.
Several feeders supplying electricity from the Baneshwar substation to areas in Lalitpur, such as Godavari, Imadol, and Lubhu, have been affected. Similarly, feeders from the Bhaktapur substation serving Khopasi, Nalinchok, and Bode are out of service. Patan substation feeders supplying power to Khumaltar, Imadol, Satdobato, and other areas are also down along with Teku substation feeders serving Kirtipur, Sundhara, Kalimati, and surrounding areas.
Though NEA teams have been working to restore power, many areas are still awaiting full restoration.
Kulekhani Reservoir Fills After 31 Years
The Kulekhani Hydropower Station reservoir in Makwanpur has reached full capacity for the first time in 31 years, following continuous rain in the watershed area. NEA reported that two gates of the dam were partially opened at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday to release water as the reservoir's level reached 1,530.93 meters above the sea level. The 60 MW power plant has been running at full capacity since Friday.
Local residents in downstream areas along the Bagmati River have been advised to remain on high alert as water flow increases due to the partial opening of the dam gates.
