KATHMANDU: The Kabeli Corridor 132 kV double-circuit transmission line, which had been severely damaged by recent flooding in Ilam’s Maikhola area, has been successfully restored, allowing power supply to resume in the region. The restoration work, completed in collaboration between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and 20 private hydropower projects, was finalized and made operational at 4:30 PM on Monday.
The catastrophic flooding on October 12 had toppled or damaged four critical transmission towers at Dhodrebensi, wards 1 and 7, in Maijogmai Municipality, halting electricity generation from hydropower projects across Taplejung, Panchthar, and Ilam. Power production had been suspended since the disaster, causing significant setbacks to local and national power distribution.
According to energy entrepreneur Mohan Karki, who oversaw the reconstruction from the private sector’s side, the work was completed within 19 days. “Our coordinated effort, involving both NEA’s provision of essential materials and the financial contributions and labor from private hydropower operators, ensured the line was restored efficiently,” Karki said.
The NEA supplied vital components, including structural parts for the transmission towers, while private companies covered labor expenses and other costs. Each hydropower project involved contributed financially to the restoration, demonstrating a robust partnership between public and private sectors.
The damage assessment revealed that towers 51 and 52 were completely destroyed by the Maikhola flood, necessitating the erection of new structures. Meanwhile, towers 50 and 53 suffered partial damage to their upper and cross-arm structures, requiring substantial repairs. With the completion of these works, the transmission line has resumed power delivery to multiple hydropower plants.
The restoration project received significant support from local ward representatives, who facilitated the reconstruction efforts and ensured community involvement. The successful collaboration is seen as a model for future disaster response initiatives in Nepal’s power sector.
Hydropower projects across eastern Nepal have now restarted electricity generation, marking a crucial step toward stabilizing the region’s power supply.