Kathmandu. The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) has expressed deep concern over the severe destruction caused by the flooding of the Lehende River (Bhotekoshi), which entered Nepal from Tibet, China on Ashad 24 (July 9, 2025). The flood caused significant damage to over 10 hydropower projects, both operational and under construction, in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.

The government has also expressed sorrow over the disaster, which washed away the Miteri Bridge—a key link between Nepal and China—and severely damaged the under-construction dry port in Timure. The flood resulted in seven confirmed deaths and 19 people reported missing.

⚠️ Hydropower Projects Affected

The flood caused major physical and financial losses, halting the generation of approximately 250 MW from operational hydropower projects and interrupting the construction of over 350 MW worth of capacity. Affected operational projects include:

• 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower

• 60 MW Trishuli 3A Hydropower

• 25 MW Trishuli Hydropower Center

• 22 MW Chilime Hydropower

• 14 MW Upper Mailung Hydropower

• 14 MW Devighat Hydropower

• 5 MW Mailung Khola Hydropower

Power production from many of these projects stopped due to damage to the Trishuli 3B Hub Substation, which transmits electricity from Upper Mailung, Mailung Khola, Devighat, and Trishuli centers.

Most of the damaged projects—except Devighat, Trishuli, and Trishuli 3A—were built with private sector participation, and all under-construction projects are being developed under private leadership.

🏗️ Construction Halted

Projects currently under construction that have been suspended due to the disaster include:

• 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1

• 100 MW Super Trishuli

• 37 MW Trishuli 3B

With the Trishuli 3B Hub Substation and transmission line damaged, electricity cannot be produced or transmitted for several days. This has led to daily losses worth crores of rupees in energy production.

🛑 Impact on Trade and Revenue

IPPAN also voiced concern over the economic impact on Nepali traders, as the flood:

• Swept away dozens of cargo containers from the Timure dry port

• Destroyed hundreds of parked vehicles at the customs point

• Completely devastated the under-construction Timure dry port

• Washed away the main bridge at the Nepal-China trade border

The closure of this critical trade route—handling over NPR 100 billion in annual trade—poses a serious threat to government revenue collection, IPPAN warned.

🆘 Rescue and Recovery Efforts

IPPAN extended gratitude to all agencies involved in emergency rescue operations, including the Government of Nepal, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, who saved around 150 individuals, including 36 workers from the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project.

Finally, IPPAN urged the government to:

• Reopen the border crossing as soon as possible

• Implement necessary policy and procedural measures for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure

• Ensure continuity of power generation and transmission

• Take preventive action to avoid further loss of life and property

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Image Source : Urjasanchar