Massive flood devastates hydropower projects in Rasuwa, IPPAN demands urgent government action

KATHMANDU: A devastating flood that struck Nepal’s northern border through Tibet’s Lhendhe River on Tuesday, July 9, has inflicted catastrophic damage on more than 10 hydropower projects—both under construction and operational—across Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, according to a press statement issued by the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN). The flood also swept away the strategically important Miteri Bridge, linking Nepal and China, and completely destroyed the under-construction dry port at Timure.

Over 250 MW of Hydropower Shut Down, Construction Work on 350+ MW Halted

The flood disrupted the generation of approximately 250 megawatts (MW) of electricity from several key hydropower plants. Moreover, construction work on projects totaling over 350 MW in capacity has come to a standstill due to severe physical and economic damages.

Electricity generation has ceased from major plants including:

111 MW Rasuwa Gadhi Hydropower

60 MW Trishuli 3A

25 MW Trishuli Hydropower Center

22 MW Chilime Hydropower

14 MW Upper Mailung

14 MW Devighat Hydropower

5 MW Mailung Khola Hydropower

IPPAN confirmed that damage to the Trishuli 3B Hub substation, which facilitates the grid flow from Mailung, Upper Mailung, Devighat, and Trishuli plants, has resulted in full production stoppage from these units.

Among these, all except Devighat, Trishuli, and Trishuli 3A are either fully or partially operated by the private sector. Furthermore, all under-construction plants impacted by the disaster—such as the 216 MW Upper Trishuli 1, 100 MW Super Trishuli, and 37 MW Trishuli 3B—are being developed with private sector leadership.

Transmission infrastructure has also sustained serious damage, particularly around the Trishuli River Corridor. Damage to substations and power lines has cut off energy dispatch from the region, resulting in estimated daily financial losses in the tens of millions of rupees.

Nepal-China Trade Severely Affected; Timure Dry Port in Ruins

Dozens of cargo containers, customs-cleared vehicles, and hundreds of trucks stationed at the Timure dry port customs yard were washed away by the flood. The dry port, a key infrastructure for international trade, has been rendered completely inoperable.

Most critically, the destruction of the Miteri Bridge—Nepal’s main trade route with China—has halted the annual trade flow of over NPR 100 billion between the two countries. IPPAN warned that the border closure will severely affect Nepal’s revenue collection and called on the government to expedite efforts to reopen the trade route.

IPPAN Thanks Rescue Agencies, Calls for Rapid Reconstruction

Despite ongoing risks from floods and landslides, IPPAN applauded the swift response from Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force in rescuing around 150 individuals, including 36 workers from Rasuwa Gadhi Hydropower.

IPPAN urged the government to immediately facilitate the reconstruction of damaged structures, resume energy transmission, and prevent further loss of life and property. The association emphasized the need for policy-level and procedural support to help the hydropower sector recover from this disaster.

National Appeal for Caution and Remembrance

The association extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Given that the number of missing people continues to rise and flood risks remain high, IPPAN called on all communities residing in river basins across Nepal to remain on high alert.