The Nepal Weekly 
October 1, 2024Recent heavy rain which lasted for 2 days across the country cause a heavy loss in energy sector which is estimated to cost approximately Rs. 4.35 billion.
On Sunday, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MOEWRI) held a press meet to inform the consequences of the heavy rain which took place on 28th and 29th September. It says that caused a loss of Rs. 2.45 billion for energy and Rs. 1.35 billion for irrigation, as per an initial estimate. It also mentions that there has been a loss of approximately Rs. 1 billion and 126 million rupees for river control, and a total of Rs. 4.35 billion worth of damage.
In the press meet, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka mentioned that the production of 1,100 megawatt hydropower projects has been closed due to floods and landslides. He said that there was a loss of two billion 450 million to hydropower and transmission lines.
Minister Khadka mentioned that there has been a loss of one billion 350 million in the field of irrigation. He also said that floods and landslides have damaged more than 26 private sector hydropower projects. He said that due to continuous rain for two days, two employees of Nepal Electricity Authority working in Tamakoshi hydropower project and two Nepal Army personnel who were engaged in security have gone missing.
Minister Khadka informed that the hydropower and transmission lines built with the investment of the private sector and the government have suffered major damage.
He said that possible larger damage was reduced due to the forecast issued by the Meteorological Department.
He added, ‘It may take some more time to find real figure which can be larger than this. More than 1 billion 35 million has been damaged in irrigation projects. However, the forecast made by the Meteorological Department helped precautions to reduce the damage.
As the government informed not to stay overnight in the under-construction project and to stop traffic, the damage has been reduced.
Last year the floods in the east, damaged Rs. 10 billion in the energy sector alone.
Affected 20 projects across the country, losses estimated to Rs. 2.31 billion in 15 hydropower projects
Initial details of hydropower projects promoted by the private sector damaged due to floods and landslides, 20 projects have been affected, and in 15 projects, the loss is worth Rs. 2.31. Details of others are yet to come. This information was revealed by Prakash Dulal, Deputy Secretary General of Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN).
Preliminary details of private sector promoted hydropower projects damaged
Bagmati small hydropower project of 22 megawatt capacity promoted by Mandu Hydropower, Makwanpur got powerhouse completely submerged and dam area damaged. The damage worth about Rs. 1 billion.
The 22.1 MW Lower Hewakhola hydropower project promoted by Mountain Hydro Nepal, Panchthar get the powerhouse flooded and the damage was worth about 250 million rupees. This was also affected by last year’s floods.
The 14.9 MW Hewakhola Hydropower project promoted by Panchthar Power, Panchthar which was damaged by last year’s flood was about to bring into operation after reconstruction, got damaged. The value of the loss is yet to be assessed.
86 MW Solu Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project, Solukhumbu Promoted by Sahash Energy also get massive damage in Headworks. It has shutdown electricity generation. The value of loss is yet to be confirmed.
Maikhola Cascade Hydropower Project, Ilam (3 MW) promoted by Sagarmatha Hydropower Company also get damage in dam and tailrace worth around Rs 50 million. Its electricity generation is closed.
The 9.6 MW Maikhola Hydroelectric Project, Ilam, promoted by the Everest Hydropower Company get damaged in transmission line damage. The worth of damage is estimated to be Rs 70 million.
Similarly, PhemeKhola hydropower project 1 megawatt, Panchthar got dam and power house completely damaged. The loss worth Rs. 100 million rupees.
Siurikhola hydropower project 5 MW, Lamjung, got damaged to tailrace, intake and tunnel which worth Rs 20 million.
In addition, Super Nyadi Hydroelectric Project, 40 MW, Lamujung got damaged to access road and protection wall. The value of loss is yet to be reported.
Elep Khola Tatopani Hydropower Project, 25 MW, Dhading got major damage to access road. The value of damage is yet to be confirmed.
Upper Trishuli 1 hydropower project 216 MW, Nuwakot got damage to camp house and access road. The flood also washed away 3 containers. The loss worth about 100 million rupees.
Hewakhola hydropower project, 5 MW (proposed 9.9 MW), Panchthar got crusher buried, access road damaged, transmission line tower collapsed, materials brought to connect powerhouse spilled. The value of loss worth about Rs. 100 million.
Also, access road damaged, powerhouse buried, dam damaged and temporary bridge washed away at Sabakhola B Hydropower Project, 15.1 MW, Panchthar. The worth of loss is estimated about Rs 70 million.
Access road damaged at Sabhakhola C Hydroelectric Project, 6.3 MW, Panchthar got loss of Rs 30 million.
Landruk Modi Hydroelectric Project, 86.59 MW, Kaski got damage of access road worth around Rs.80 million.
2 excavators, 2 loaders and 3 trippers, bailey bridge swept away, buried the powerhouse excavation at Super Trishuli Hydroelectric Project, 100 MW, Nuwakot. The loss is worth about 250 million rupees.
Heavy damage to dam, camp house and access road at Langtang River Hydropower Project, 20 MW, Rasuwa. According to IPPAN, the amount of damage is yet to be confirmed.
Powerhouse submerged, transmission line tower collapsed, switchyard damaged, dam and headrace tunnel damaged, access road damaged at some places at Khanikhola hydropower project, 2 MW, Lalitpur. The loss is estimated to be Rs. 100 million.
Powerhouse submerged, transmission line tower collapsed, damage to switchyard, dam and headrace tunnel, access road in many places at Tungun Thosne Hydroelectric Project, 4.36 MW, Lalitpur. The loss is estimated to be around 150 million rupees.
Around 20 million rupees worth physical property damaged at Maya Khola hydropower project, 14.9 MW, Sankhuwasabha. It got damage of dam and access road mainly.
