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Floods triggered by the Bhote Koshi River on August 26 have caused an estimated Rs 74 billion in preliminary damage to Nepal’s power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The floods cut 430 MW of electricity from the national system and damaged the 220 kV hub of the Upper Trishuli-III ‘B’ project, along with infrastructure at several other hydropower projects.

NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Shrestha said the preliminary damage to the infrastructure of the NEA and its subsidiaries is estimated at around Rs 74 billion.

Continuous rainfall has also damaged power infrastructure and forced several power plants to shut down unexpectedly.

Although power supply has been restored in most affected areas through efforts by distribution centers and the Grid Operation Department, some generation plants may take time to resume operations. The NEA has deployed technical teams to restore electricity lines in the remaining affected areas.

Eight power projects with a combined capacity of 230 MW remain offline. Meanwhile, hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 262 MW in the Seti-Madi corridor and 190 MW in the Marsyangdi corridor have resumed operations after floods disrupted them.

The 144 MW Kaligandaki Hydropower Project, which was also forced to shut down by the floods, is expected to resume operations by this evening, the NEA said.

The authority said it has yet to determine the full extent of the damage because blocked access routes have prevented technical teams from conducting on-site inspections at several damaged locations.

Rainfall disrupted electricity supply in several areas, including Manang, Baglung, Mustang, the Jhaputar substation area of Tanahun and Pyuthan.

The NEA has already restored power in Myagdi, the Kutar substation area of Tanahun, Baglung and Eastern Rukum. Technical teams have been mobilized to restore electricity in the remaining affected areas by Tuesday.

The NEA estimates that domestic power generation will provide around 1,218 MW during the upcoming dry season. To meet demand, it plans to import an additional 1,154 MW of electricity from India through various channels.