Incessant rainfall has triggered floods and landslides that have disrupted electricity generation and supply across Nepal, with more than 900 MW of generation capacity currently halted.
According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI), the disruptions were caused by damage to power plants and transmission lines. Generation at several other hydropower projects was also suspended as a precaution to prevent further damage.
Power generation totaling 358 MW from 12 hydropower projects has been halted after floods damaged the 220 kV Kaligandaki Corridor transmission line. Two towers along the Dana–Kushma section of the line were damaged, forcing the suspension of electricity generated by the connected projects.
The affected projects include the 38 MW Nilgiri-1, 71 MW Nilgiri-2, 42 MW Mistri Khola, 14.8 MW Ghar Khola, 13.6 MW Thapa Khola and 5 MW Ghalemdi Khola hydropower projects. The 48.5 MW Upper Rahughat, 35.5 MW Rahughat Mangle, 22.5 MW Upper Thulo Khola, 21.3 MW Thulo Khola and 40 MW Rahughat projects are also connected to the transmission line.
Towers 21 and 22 between Dana in Myagdi and Kushma in Parbat were damaged, while problems have also been reported along the Kushma–Naya Butwal section. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said floods and landslides have damaged 220 kV, 132 kV, 33 kV and 11 kV transmission and distribution lines, resulting in power disruptions in several areas.
The MoEWRI said it would take time to resume generation at some of the affected projects because the damaged transmission infrastructure requires reconstruction.
According to NEA records, generation has been halted at Kaligandaki (140 MW), Middle Marsyangdi (70 MW), Marsyangdi (69 MW), Upper Marsyangdi (50 MW), Super Madi (44 MW), Seti River (40 MW), Upper Madi (25 MW), Upper Dordi (25 MW) and Namarjun Madi (20 MW). Several other projects, including Modi, have also been affected.
NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said technical and maintenance teams have been deployed to assess the damage, restore electricity through alternative feeders and carry out emergency repairs. Additional teams and equipment will be mobilized once blocked roads and access routes are cleared.
Heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides and road blockages have made it difficult for repair teams to reach some affected sites. The NEA said restoring electricity supply to consumers remains its priority and that efforts are being accelerated.
Shrestha said arrangements have been made to restore electricity wherever possible in areas experiencing outages by using alternative feeders and available transmission and distribution infrastructure. The authority is assessing damaged facilities and gradually mobilizing the equipment, materials and personnel required for restoration.
Meanwhile, the NEA has urged the public to stay away from fallen power lines, damaged poles and other electrical infrastructure. It has warned consumers not to touch damaged electrical equipment because of the risk of electric shock.
