Residents of western Chitwan and Madi are set to experience a six-hour power outage today, as announced by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Chanauli Distribution Center. The decision comes amid a significant spike in electricity demand, driven by rising temperatures and the ongoing peak irrigation season, exacerbated by a lack of rainfall.
According to the NEA, power will be cut for three hours in the morning and three more in the afternoon, affecting multiple feeder lines under Chanauli’s jurisdiction. The affected areas include:
- Narayani–Madi feeders: 6:00–9:00 AM and 3:00–6:00 PM
- Meghauli–Bijaynagar–Shukranagar feeders: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 6:00–9:00 PM
- Jagatpur–Rampur feeders: 12:00–3:00 PM and 9:00 PM–12:00 AM
Raj Kumar Shrestha, head of the Chanauli Distribution Center, explained that the 33 kV DOG conductor lines connected to the 132/33 kV substation are only rated for up to 300 amperes. However, due to excessive demand, the current load has surged beyond 450 amperes, necessitating immediate load management measures to prevent system failure or equipment damage.
The outage is intended as a short-term mitigation strategy to safeguard infrastructure and maintain balance in the power supply network. The NEA emphasized that this step is essential until a long-term solution is in place.
Jitendra Kumar Jha, head of the NEA’s Bagmati Provincial Division, noted that a new 33 kV transmission line is already under construction. This new infrastructure will eventually supply electricity from an alternative substation, offering a more sustainable and load-resilient solution to the current bottleneck.
The NEA has urged consumers in the affected regions to cooperate with the temporary schedule and reduce electricity usage where possible to ease the pressure on the grid during this critical period.
