Continuous rain causes damage to hydropower projects and transmission lines

KATHMANDU: Continuous rainfall has led to floods and landslides, resulting in damage to various hydropower projects and transmission lines across the country. Preliminary reports indicate that floods and landslides have impacted 20 hydropower projects, with confirmed losses exceeding NPR 2.31 billion for 15 of these projects. Communication disruptions have prevented the collection of detailed information from some projects.

Over the past two days, heavy rainfall has caused significant damage to several major hydropower projects, including the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, the 22 MW Mandu Hydropower Project, and the 22.1 MW Hewakhola Hydropower Project, affecting their headboxes and powerhouses.

In addition, the under-construction 216 MW Upper Trishuli-2 hydropower project in Rasuwa has experienced physical and equipment damage. Five workers at the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project are reported missing. The Khimti-Lamosangu transmission line has also been affected, with floodwaters washing away its Tower No. 7, disrupting electricity supply to Kathmandu.

Similarly, the transmission line from Damak to Godak has suffered damage, particularly at Tower No. 51, which was swept away by the floods.

Floods have also caused damage to the Solu Corridor and Koshi Corridor transmission lines. Following the damage to domestic power plants, the authorities reported an additional import of 300 MW of electricity from India.

In response to the rising floodwaters, many power companies have relocated their operational staff to safer locations.

Nepal has typically produced around 3,000 MW of electricity, but the recent floods and landslides have reduced this to only 1,300 MW, according to the power authority.

Initial Damage Reports from Privately Funded Hydropower Projects:

1. Mandu Hydropower: 22 MW Bagmati Small Hydropower Project, Makwanpur (Powerhouse completely submerged, damage to dam area) – Approximately NPR 1 billion.

2. Mountain Hydro Nepal: 22.1 MW Lower Hewakhola Hydropower Project, Panchthar (Previously affected by last year’s floods, powerhouse submerged) – Approximately NPR 250 million.

3. Panchthar Power: 14.9 MW Hewakhola Hydropower Project, Panchthar (Damaged during reconstruction after last year’s floods) – Damage amount pending confirmation.

4. Sahas Energy: 86 MW Solu Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project, Solukhumbu (Damage to headworks, production halted) – Damage amount pending confirmation.

5. Sagarmatha Hydro: 3 MW Maikhola Cascade Hydropower Project, Ilam (Damage to dam and tailrace, production halted) – Approximately NPR 50 million.

6. Sagarmatha Hydro: 9.6 MW Maikhola Hydropower Project, Ilam (Damage to dam and transmission line) – Approximately NPR 70 million.

7. Feme Khola Hydropower: 1 MW, Panchthar (Dam and powerhouse completely damaged) – Approximately NPR 100 million.

8. Siuri Khola Hydropower: 5 MW, Lamjung (Damage to tailrace, intake, and tunnel) – Approximately NPR 20 million.

9. Supernadi Hydropower: 40 MW, Lamjung (Damage to access road and protection wall) – Damage amount pending confirmation.

10. Ilep Khola Tatopani Hydropower: 25 MW, Dhading (Severe damage to access road) – Damage amount pending confirmation.

11. Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower: 216 MW, Nuwakot (Damage to camp house and access road; three containers washed away) – Approximately NPR 100 million.

12. Hewakhola Hydropower: 5 MW (Proposed 9.9 MW), Panchthar (Crusher buried, damage to access road, transmission line tower collapsed, materials for the powerhouse washed away) – Approximately NPR 100 million.

13. Sabakhola B Hydropower: 15.1 MW, Panchthar (Access road and powerhouse submerged, damage to dam and temporary bridge) – Approximately NPR 70 million.

14. Sabakhola C Hydropower: 6.3 MW, Panchthar (Damage to access road) – Approximately NPR 30 million.

15. Landruk Modi Hydropower: 86.59 MW, Kaski (Damage to access road) – Approximately NPR 80 million.

16. Super Trishuli Hydropower: 100 MW, Nuwakot (Two excavators, two loaders, and three tippers washed away, Bailey bridge washed away, and powerhouse buried) – Approximately NPR 250 million.

17. Langtang Khola Hydropower: 20 MW, Rasuwa (Severe damage to dam, camp house, and access road) – Damage amount pending confirmation.

18. Khanikhola Hydropower: 2 MW, Lalitpur (Powerhouse submerged, transmission line tower collapsed, damage in switchyard, dam, and headrace tunnel, access road severely damaged) – Approximately NPR 100 million.

19. Tungun Thosne Hydropower: 4.36 MW, Lalitpur (Powerhouse submerged, transmission line tower collapsed, damage in switchyard, dam, and headrace tunnel, access road severely damaged) – Approximately NPR 150 million.

20. Maya Khola Hydropower: 14.9 MW, Sankhuwasabha (Damage to dam and access road) – Approximately NPR 20 million.