Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, informed that the flood occurred in the Bhotekoshi River this morning has damaged 10 percent of the total domestic power generation capacity.
He said that the employees of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) are continuously working in demand and supply management in view of the imbalance in power supply due to the damage caused to the hydropower house. Although it has been successful in keeping the electricity system balanced so far, high priority has been given to the necessary preparation and management as more challenges may come in the coming days due to such a huge damage.
According to the ministry, 12 power stations with a capacity of 431.1 MW have been shut down and out of the system. According to the preliminary data, a total of 470 MW of capacity has been damaged in 15 hydropower projects under construction.
Likewise, the 220 kV 3 B Hub Substation has been completely damaged. Various 132, 66 and 220 KV transmission lines and towers have also been damaged. The power supply in Rasuwa has come to a complete halt. Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha have been partially blocked.
According to preliminary reports, more than 196 employees and workers working in various projects and structures are out of contact. Search and rescue operations are underway. More than 15 vehicles of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) have been mobilized in the affected areas. Additional rescue and technical teams have also been deployed.
Minister Shrestha has said that the local administration, security agencies and the concerned bodies are coordinating with the local administration, security agencies and the concerned bodies to resume the power supply, repair the damaged structures and search and rescue the people who are out of contact.
“We are doing our best to make alternative arrangements, mobilize technical teams and resources to bring the power system into operation at the earliest through collection of detailed details of damages and technical assessment,” he said.
