32 Hydropower Projects Affected by Floods

Continuous rainfall from October 3 to 5 caused damage to 32 hydropower projects across 10 districts in three provinces, according to preliminary data compiled by the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN).

Of the affected projects, 17 are operational with a combined capacity of 180 megawatts, while 15 are under construction with a total capacity of 338 megawatts.

IPPAN President Ganesh Karki said that timely flood alerts shared under an agreement between IPPAN and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology helped prevent human casualties this year. He added that early preparedness also minimized physical damage to hydropower plants despite heavy rainfall.

Ilam Worst Hit

Ilam district in Koshi Province has been the hardest hit, with 15 operating hydropower projects shut down and one under construction affected.

The affected plants include Mai Khola (4.5 MW), Mai Khola Cascade (8 MW), Sanima Mai (22 MW), Mai Cascade (7 MW), Super Mai (7.8 MW), Super Mai A (9.6 MW), Super Mai A Cascade (3 MW), Jogmai Khola (7.6 MW), Jogmai Cascade (5.2 MW), Lower Jogmai (6.2 MW), Maibeni (9.5 MW), Upper Mai (9.9 MW), Mai C Cascade (5.1 MW), Puwa 2 (4.96 MW), and Upper Puwa 1 (3 MW).

Two other projects affected are the Hewakhola (14.9 MW) in Panchthar district of Koshi Province and the Likhu 4 (52.4 MW) in Bagmati Province. All plants except Likhu 4 remain shut. Production at Likhu 4 was halted for just over an hour.

Access Roads Severely Damaged

Most damage to under-construction projects occurred along access roads. The 49.95 MW Dana Khola Hydropower Project in Manang reported multiple landslides along its 12-km access road, according to Mohan Kumar Dangi, director of Lalupate Hydropower Company, the project developer.

Similarly, the 10 MW Siddhi Khola Hydropower Project in Ilam, promoted by Siddhi Hydropower, was preparing for commercial generation within 10 days but had to delay production due to flood damage.

In Panchthar, the 21.5 MW Sabha Khola B and 9.9 MW Hewakhola projects suffered the loss of construction materials and equipment.

Four projects in Sindhupalchok — Brahmayani (36.51 MW), Upper Brahmayani (15.15 MW), Balephi (40 MW), and Lower Balephi (22.5 MW) — also reported washed-out access roads.

Other affected under-construction projects include Langtang Khola (20 MW) in Rasuwa, Irkhuwakhola B (15.5 MW) and Upper Irkhuwakhola (14.5 MW) in Bhojpur, Upper Thulo Khola (22.5 MW) in Myagdi, Hidi Khola (6.82 MW) in Lamjung, Khimti 2 (48.8 MW) in Ramechhap, and Gasali Khola (4.5 MW) in Dhading.

IPPAN said detailed assessments of losses could take more time, as access to several project sites remains blocked due to landslides and damaged roads.