Recent Rain-Induced Disasters Affect 32 Hydropower Projects: IPPAN

Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall between October 3 and 5 have affected 32 hydropower projects across 10 districts in three provinces.

According to preliminary data compiled by the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), as of Monday afternoon, October 6, 17 operational projects with a combined capacity of 180 MW and 15 under-construction projects totalling 338 MW were impacted by the floods and landslides.

IPPAN President Ganesh Karki said that, unlike in previous years, coordination with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for early warning dissemination helped prevent human casualties and minimise physical damage to hydropower infrastructure.

Ilam District Worst Hit

Of the 17 operational projects affected, 15 are located in Ilam — the worst-hit district in eastern Nepal.

The affected projects in Ilam include:

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 Puwa 2

3 MW Upper Puwa 1

Two other projects — the 14.9 MW Hewakhola in Panchthar and the 52.4 MW Likhu 4 in Bagmati Province — were also affected. 

Except for Likhu 4, which briefly shut down for a little over an hour, all other plants have halted generation, IPPAN said.

Access Roads Severely Damaged

Floods and landslides have caused the most damage to access roads leading to under-construction hydropower projects.

The 49.95 MW Dana Khola Hydropower Project in Manang suffered landslides along several stretches of its 12-kilometre access road, said Mohan Kumar Dangi, managing director of the project’s promoter, Lalupate Hydropower. As construction had just begun, the incomplete access road was severely washed away by the rainfall, he added.

In Ilam, the 10 MW Siddhikhola Hydropower Project, promoted by Siddhi Hydropower, has been delayed. The project was only ten days away from starting commercial generation.

In Panchthar, floods swept away construction materials and equipment of the 21.5 MW Sabha Khola B and 9.9 MW Hewakhola projects.

In Sindhupalchok, access roads to four hydropower projects were washed away — the 36.51 MW Bramhayani, 15.15 MW Upper Bramhayani, 40 MW Balephi, and 22.5 MW Lower Balephi.

Similarly, floods also damaged access roads and infrastructure of several other projects, including:

20 MW Langtang Khola (Rasuwa)

15.5 MW Irkhua Khola B and 14.5 MW Upper Irkhua (Bhojpur)

22.5 MW Upper Thulo Khola (Myagdi)

6.82 MW Hidi Khola (Lamjung)

48.8 MW Khimti 2 (Ramechhap)

4.5 MW Gasali Khola (Dhading)

IPPAN said that as access routes to both operating and under-construction projects remain obstructed, detailed assessments of the total damage may take more time to complete.