MYAGDI: Floods and landslides have disrupted construction work at several hydropower projects in Myagdi, while electricity generation at two operational projects with a combined capacity of 20 MW has come to a halt.
The projects under construction in Dhawalagiri, Annapurna and Malika rural municipalities have been affected after landslides and floods blocked roads, disrupting the transportation of construction materials, equipment and fuel.
Construction work on the 53.5 MW Upper Myagdi-1, 37 MW Upper Myagdi, 65 MW Myagdikhola, 14 MW Mudikhola, 9.14 MW Super Ghalemdi and 6.5 MW Darkhola hydropower projects has slowed due to the disruptions.
According to Jyoti Kumar KC, project chief of Upper Myagdi-1, construction materials and equipment have not been transported since Ashad after landslides occurred at Ghumaune (Faparkhet), Bangepahiro and Ilpu, while flooding in Shivaratri Khola further disrupted transportation.
“Work is continuing with the materials already available at the project sites, but transportation has not resumed as expected,” KC said.
Buddhiraj Adhikari, public relations officer of the Myagdikhola Hydropower Project, said workers have had to clear landslides and use dozers to tow vehicles to keep construction activities going.
Similarly, Resham Bhandari, chairman of Darkhola Hydropower, said landslides at several locations along the Beni-Darbang and Darbang-Takam road sections have severely affected the transportation of construction materials. Floods and landslides have also disrupted electricity generation at two hydropower projects that are already operational.
The 6 MW Rele Khola Hydropower Project has remained shut since the second week of Ashad after a flood from Relekharka in Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, damaged the project’s dam.
Likewise, generation at the 14 MW Gharkhola Hydropower Project has been halted after a dry landslide buried its powerhouse. The incident killed one person and injured another.
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