KATHMANDU: The country's electricity supply has been disrupted and at least twenty hydroelectric plants have suffered major damage due to floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in Nepal during the last two days. The nation is mostly dependent on imported electricity to meet its domestic demands because natural catastrophes have had a substantial impact on infrastructure and the production of electricity.
Before the floods, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) was exporting more than 500 MW of electricity per day to India during the monsoon season. But because of the devastation the floods inflicted, Nepal now has to import electricity. 300 MW of power were imported from India on Saturday, according to NEA Spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh.
The hydropower plants in Nepal were producing about 3,000 MW of electricity prior to the tragedies. However, this output has been cut to barely 1,300 MW due to floods and landslides, suggesting a sharp reduction in production in a short amount of time.
The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) reports that since Saturday, 15 power projects generating 1,177 MW of electricity have been completely shut down. The estimated damages to these projects, which include damage to powerhouses, transmission lines, access roads, and other vital infrastructure, are Rs 2.31 billion.
Significant damage has been sustained by large hydropower projects like the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi, 22 MW Mandu, and 14.9 MW Hewa Khola. Moreover, the 86 MW Solu Dudh Koshi Hydropower Project and the 9.6 MW and 3 MW Mai Khola projects have experienced output disruptions.
There have been damages to a number of smaller hydropower plants, such as the 1 MW Pheme Khola, 5 MW Siuri Khola, 40 MW Super Nyadi, and 20 MW Langtang Khola. Additionally, the 4.36 MW Tungun-Thosne Hydropower Project and the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project, which are currently under construction, have had their physical structures and equipment destroyed.
Furthermore, the Sabhakhola-C Hydroelectric Project and the Landruk Modi Hydroelectric Project have experienced damage to their access roads, and the Super Trishuli Hydropower Project has experienced further delays in progress due to the loss of construction equipment due to flooding.
One of Kathmandu's main power links, the Khimti-Lamosangu transmission line, was also badly damaged. The floodwaters washed down Tower No. 7 of this line, cutting off the capital's supply of energy.
Damage has also been inflicted by other transmission lines, including the Solu Corridor and the Damak to Godak line. The Koshi Corridor has also been impacted, and Tower No. 51 of the Damak-Godak transmission line was specifically washed away.
While damage assessments persist, the NEA and IPPAN are tackling the destruction of infrastructure; nevertheless, considering the extent of the devastation caused by the floods and landslides, it is anticipated that the restoration of the power supply would require some time.
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