KATHMANDU: Continuous heavy rainfall from October 3 to 5 has damaged 32 hydropower projects across 10 districts in three provinces, according to the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN).
Preliminary data compiled by IPPAN until Monday afternoon shows that 17 operational projects with a combined capacity of 180 MW and 15 under-construction projects with a total capacity of 338 MW have been affected by floods.
IPPAN President Ganesh Karki noted that while past floods caused significant human casualties due to a lack of early warning systems, this year’s coordination between IPPAN and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology enabled timely dissemination of flood alerts. As a result, human loss was prevented and physical damage to hydropower projects was comparatively lower despite heavy rainfall.
Ilam hardest hit
Among the 17 operational projects affected, 15 are located in Ilam district of Koshi Province, which was the hardest hit. Production has been halted in projects (including: 4.5 MW Mai Khola, 8 MW Mai Khola Cascade, 22 MW Mai Khola (Sanima Mai), 7 MW Mai Cascade, 7.8 MW Super Mai, 9.6 MW Super Mai A, 3 MW Super Mai A Cascade, 7.6 MW Jogmai Khola, 5.2 MW Jogmai Cascade, 6.2 MW Lower Jogmai, 9.5 MW Maibeni, 9.9 MW Upper Mai, 5.1 MW Mai C Cascade, 4.96 MW Puwakhola-2, and 3 MW Upper Puwakhola-1)
The other two affected projects include the 14.9 MW Hewakhola in Panchthar and the 52.4 MW Likhu-4 in Bagmati Province. Except for Likhu-4—which was shut down for just over an hour—all others remain completely out of operation.
Most damage to under-construction projects has been reported along access roads. For instance, the 49.95 MW Dana Khola project in Manang lost large sections of its 12 km access road to landslides, according to developer Lalupate Hydropower’s director, Mohan Kumar Dangi.
In Ilam, the 10 MW Siddikhola Hydropower Project, developed by Siddhi Hydropower and close to starting commercial production within 10 days,.has also suffered flood damage, pushing back its operation date.
Similarly, floods swept away construction materials and equipment from the 21.5 MW Sabha Khola B and 9.9 MW Hewakhola projects in Panchthar.
In Sindhupalchok, access roads to four project, 36.51 MW Bramhayani, 15.15 MW Upper Bramhayani, 40 MW Balephi, and 22.5 MW Lower Balephi, were washed away. Other affected under-construction projects include the 20 MW Langtang Khola in Rasuwa, 15.5 MW Irkhuwakhola B and 14.5 MW Upper Irkhuwakhola in Bhojpur, 22.5 MW Upper Thulo Khola in Myagdi, 6.82 MW Hidi Khola in Lamjung, 48.8 MW Khimti-2 in Ramechhap, and 4.5 MW Gasali Khola in Dhading.
Since access to many project sites has been cut off, IPPAN stated that a detailed assessment of the total damage will take more time.
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