Flash Flood Forces Indefinite Shutdown of 4.55 MW Upper Machhakhola Hydropower Project
A sudden flash flood in the Budhigandaki River on Friday morning, Ashwin 25, 2081, has severely damaged the 4.55 MW Upper Machhakhola Small Hydropower Project, operated by Bikash Hydropower Company Limited. The company has suspended operations indefinitely as it assesses the full extent of the damage, with repair challenges compounded by the upcoming Dashain festival.
Kathmandu — The 4.55 MW Upper Machhakhola Small Hydropower Project, operated by Bikash Hydropower Company Limited, has been completely shut down following severe damage from a sudden flash flood in the Budhigandaki River on Friday morning, Ashwin 25, 2081. The flood surge caused heavy damage to the project's power transmission lines, halting all operations.
According to the company, the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. Officials confirmed that power generation and project operations have been suspended for an indefinite period due to uncertainties regarding the scale of repair work, the time required, and necessary safety checks.
The company noted that repair work and restoration of power production will be particularly challenging due to the upcoming Dashain festival, which affects both manpower availability and material logistics. Despite these obstacles, Bikash Hydropower Company assured that detailed assessments are underway and that necessary repair efforts will be initiated as quickly as possible to safely restart operations.