NEA struggles to restore power in Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung after flood damages transmission tower

KATHMANDU: The three eastern-most districts of Nepal, including Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung, have been without electricity for the past three days after a flood, triggered by continuous rainfall, swept away a crucial transmission tower in Ilam. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) confirmed that the power supply to all three districts was disrupted on Saturday, September 28, following damage to tower number 51 of the Padajungi-Godak 132 kVA transmission line in Mahamai.

Despite ongoing repair efforts, the electricity supply had not been restored by Monday afternoon, leaving the districts in darkness. The NEA estimates it may take up to three to four months to fully repair the damaged tower. Bijali Prasad Yadav, the head of the NEA’s Ilam branch, stated that while efforts are being made to reconnect the affected areas, alternative solutions are also being explored. “Repairing the damaged tower is not feasible at the moment,” Yadav explained, “but we are working on finding alternative ways to restore power.”

Though media reports indicated that four towers were damaged, Yadav clarified that official reports only confirmed the damage to two towers, with teams still assessing the affected areas. He also mentioned that electricity could be supplied through local hydropower projects or via the 133 kVA transmission line from Jhapa as an interim measure. “We are trying to restore electricity by Monday evening through alternative arrangements,” Yadav added.

The power crisis has also disrupted public services, with the District Administration Office (DAO) in Ilam announcing a suspension of services on Monday, citing both a lack of electricity and a malfunctioning inverter. The general public has been further inconvenienced by their inability to charge mobile phones, compounding the difficulties faced in the region due to the blackout.

Despite partial road openings after the floods, the lack of electricity remains a critical challenge for the residents and officials in these districts. With the possibility of a months-long wait for full repairs, alternative arrangements are urgently needed to mitigate the situation.