Nepal Floods Disrupt Over 900 MW of Electricity Generation and Supply
Floods and landslides across Nepal have halted more than 900 MW of electricity generation and damaged key transmission infrastructure, including the 220 MW Kaligandaki Corridor line. The Nepal Electricity Authority has deployed emergency teams, but blocked roads and ongoing rainfall are hampering repair efforts.
KATHMANDU, Sept 27 — Incessant rainfall, floods and landslides have disrupted electricity generation and supply exceeding 900 megawatts (MW) across Nepal, according to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI).
The ministry said the disruption stems from adverse impacts on production plants and damage to transmission lines. Power generation at some projects was also suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent potential damage.
Kaligandaki Corridor Damage Halts 358 MW
Power generation totaling 358 MW from 12 projects has been halted after floods damaged the 220 MW Kaligandaki Corridor transmission line. Two towers on the Dana–Kushma section sustained damage, resulting in the suspension of output from the 12 connected projects.
The affected projects connected to this transmission line include:
- 38 MW Nilgiri-1
- 71 MW Nilgiri-2
- 42 MW Mistri Khola
- 14.8 MW Ghar Khola
- 13.6 MW Thapa Khola
- 5 MW Ghalemdi Khola
- 48.5 MW Upper Rahughat
- 35.5 MW Rahughat Mangle
- 22.5 MW Upper Thulo Khola
- 21.3 MW Thulo Khola
- 40 MW Rahughat
Towers 21 and 22 between Dana of Myagdi and Kushma of Parbat have been damaged, while problems have also been reported along the Kushma–Naya Butwal section. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said floods and landslides have damaged 220 kV, 132 kV, 33 kV and 11 kV transmission and distribution lines, causing power disruptions in several areas.
The MoEWRI has reported that it will take some time for these projects to resume operations, as the transmission line requires reconstruction.
Additional Projects Offline
NEA records show that electricity generation has also been halted at:
- Kaligandaki (140 MW)
- Middle Marsyangdi (70 MW)
- Marsyangdi (69 MW)
- Upper Marsyangdi (50 MW)
- Super Madi (44 MW)
- Seti River (40 MW)
- Upper Madi (25 MW)
- Upper Dordi (25 MW)
- Namarjun Madi (20 MW)
Several other projects, including Modi, have also been affected.
Emergency Response Underway
NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said technical and maintenance teams have been deployed to assess the damage, restore electricity through alternative feeders and begin emergency repairs. Additional teams and equipment will be mobilized as soon as blocked roads and access routes are cleared.
Heavy rain, flooding, landslides and road blockages have made it difficult for repair teams to reach some affected sites. The NEA said restoring electricity to consumers remains its priority and that efforts are being accelerated.
Shrestha added that arrangements have been made to restore electricity supply—wherever possible—in areas facing outages by utilizing alternative feeders and other available transmission and distribution infrastructure. Work is underway to gradually restore the supply by assessing the condition of damaged infrastructure and mobilizing the necessary equipment, materials and personnel.
Public Safety Advisory
Meanwhile, the NEA has urged the public to stay away from fallen power lines, damaged poles and other electrical infrastructure, warning consumers not to touch damaged electrical equipment.