10 hydropower projects damaged in Nepal floods, no significant effect on power export

At least 10 hydropower projects have been damaged by floods in Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa district and Trishuli river in Nuwakot district in Nepal, authorities said on Friday.

The flash floods, possibly triggered by a glacial lake burst in China hitting Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border on Tuesday, swept away the friendship bridge connecting the two countries and killed at least nine people with around 19 missing.

Several dozens of containers and cars were also swept away by the flood.


In a statement, Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPPAN) said that seven hydropower projects currently generating 251 MW hydropower have been completely shut down due to the floods.

Those hydropower projects that were damaged by the floods include Rasuwagadhi with 111 MW, Trishuli 3A with 60 MW, Trishuli with 25 MW and Chilime with 22 MW capacity. The combined capacity of other three smaller hydropower projects was 33 MW.

The hydropower projects damaged by the floods that are under construction include Upper Trishuli with 216 MW, Super Trishuli with 100 MW and Trishuli 3B among others with a combined capacity of 350 MW.

However, Nepal Electricity Authority's spokesperson Rajan Dhakal said that this will not significantly affect Nepal's power generation at the moment and will also have negligible impact on Nepal's ongoing power exports to India and Bangladesh.

"Except Rasuwagadhi with 111 MW capacity, all other hydropower projects will come into operation within one month following maintenance," he said. Some projects will be rebuilt within a few days, he added.

"Nepal is currently exporting on an average 600 MW of power to India on a daily basis. However, a few days ago it was 650 MW," he said. "We have slightly reduced the volume after the Rasuwa floods," he added.