Devastating Floods in Rasuwa: 200 MW Power Generation Halted, Major Damage at Rasuwa Gadhi Hydropower

A recent massive flood has caused significant destruction to major hydropower projects in the Rasuwa district of Nepal. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), nearly 200 megawatts of electricity generation has been completely shut down due to the damage in the Rasuwa corridor.

The Rasuwa Gadhi Hydropower Project (RHPL), with a capacity of 111 MW, has suffered the most severe damage. NEA Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya confirmed that one of the main dam gates was washed away and the bridge connecting the project site has cracked, cutting off all access. However, the powerhouse itself has reportedly not sustained major damage. Though debris and mud have accumulated in the tailrace area, there is no structural damage as per initial assessments.

Similarly, the 60 MW Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project has also been affected. Floodwaters entered the project's buildings, and while the full extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed, the Trishuli 3B substation has been buried under mud, halting electricity production there as well.

In another incident, water entered the powerhouse of the Chilime Hydropower Project, but initial reports indicate no significant damage. However, a bypass transmission tower along the Trishuli River bank has been swept away by the flood, further worsening the disruption.

As a direct result of these impacts, approximately 200 MW of electricity generation from NEA-operated projects in the Trishuli corridor has come to a complete halt. The authority has begun assessing the full extent of the damage and is preparing to initiate urgent repair and reconstruction work to restore operations.

NEA has also estimated that it will take some time to bring the affected projects back into operation, potentially putting pressure on the country’s electricity supply in the interim.