Floods Cause Rs 3.90 Kharba Damage to Hydropower Sector, More Than 800 People Missing
Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has told Parliament that floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems have caused an estimated Rs 3.90 Kharba in damage to Nepal’s energy sector, with more than 800 people still missing.
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KATHMANDU: The devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems have caused an estimated Rs 3 Kharba 90.6 Arba in damage to Nepal’s energy sector, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha told the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister Shrestha said more than 800 people working at different hydropower projects remain missing following the disaster.
The preliminary estimate includes the cost required for the recovery and reconstruction of the wider energy sector affected by the floods.
More Than 800 People Missing
According to Minister Shrestha, 47 Nepal Electricity Authority employees are among those reported missing.
The largest number of missing people has been reported from the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, where 439 people remain unaccounted for. Authorities have so far recovered 39 bodies from the project area.
Other reported missing workers include:
178 from Upper Trishuli-3B
93 from Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project
39 from Langtang Khola
39 from Upper Trishuli-3A
The minister said some workers and technical personnel had also been rescued safely from affected projects despite the difficult conditions.
410 MW Removed From National Grid
The floods have also caused major damage to Nepal’s electricity generation and transmission infrastructure.
According to the minister:
11 power generation facilities operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority and private companies have been shut down.
A total of 410 MW has been removed from the national power system.
Projects with 275 MW of operating capacity have suffered direct damage.
Another 135 MW has been affected because of damage to transmission lines.
Six projects under construction with a combined capacity of 508 MW have also suffered major damage.
The 220 kV substation in Trishuli, Matatirtha–Chilime transmission line and several switchyards have also been damaged or destroyed.
Billions Needed for Reconstruction
The government has estimated that rebuilding irrigation and river-control infrastructure alone will require around Rs 4.943 arba.
The wider recovery requirement for the energy sector is estimated at Rs 3.906 Kharba, according to the preliminary assessment presented by the minister.
The scale of the damage includes power projects, transmission infrastructure and other energy-related facilities affected by the floods.
Relief for Families of Missing NEA Workers
Minister Shrestha also announced immediate support for families of Nepal Electricity Authority employees who died or remain missing in the Trishuli area.
Their dependent families will receive:
Rs 500,000 in immediate relief
50% of the employee’s salary for six months
The government said the assistance is intended to provide immediate financial support to families affected by the disaster.
Possible Electricity Bill Relief
The government is also studying measures to reduce the financial burden on electricity consumers in flood-affected areas.
The measures under consideration include:
No minimum electricity billing from Bhadra for affected customers
Free replacement of damaged electricity meters
Removal of damaged meters from billing records
Electricity tariff relief for consumers in 15 affected local governments
The final arrangements will depend on the ongoing assessment.
2% IPO Participation for Security Personnel
The government has also started the legal process to ensure 2% participation in hydropower IPOs for serving security personnel in recognition of their work during search and rescue operations.
The measure is intended to acknowledge the efforts of security personnel involved in rescuing people and responding to the disaster.
Alternative Energy Being Used
To restore essential services in affected areas, the government has distributed solar energy systems and improved cooking stoves through the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.
The initiative is aimed at helping communities where regular electricity and other essential services remain disrupted.
Further Heavy Rainfall Risk
Minister Shrestha also warned of another possible round of heavy rainfall.
He said a low-pressure system formed over the Bay of Bengal could bring heavy rain to parts of central and western Nepal, including flood-affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
Authorities and residents in the affected areas have been urged to remain alert as recovery and search operations continue.
Published 17 hours ago in Politics