Floods and Landslides Disrupt Hydropower Projects in Myagdi, 20 MW Generation Halted

Dragon Media Correspondent

Floods and landslides have disrupted work at several hydropower projects under construction in Myagdi, while electricity generation from two operational projects with a combined capacity of 20 megawatts has been halted.

Construction activities in Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Malika rural municipalities have been affected after road blockages disrupted the transportation of construction materials, equipment and fuel.

Projects affected include the 53.5 MW Upper Myagdi-1, 37 MW Upper Myagdi, 65 MW Myagdi Khola, 14 MW Mudi Khola, 9.14 MW Super Ghalemdi and 6.5 MW Dar Khola hydropower projects.

According to Upper Myagdi-1 Project Chief Jyoti Kumar KC, landslides at Ghumaune, also known as Faparkhet, Bange Pahiro and Ilpu, as well as flooding in Shivaratri Khola, have disrupted the transportation of construction materials and equipment since Asar.

Although work has continued using materials and equipment already available at the project site, the disruption in transportation has prevented construction from progressing at the expected pace, he said.

Myagdi Khola Hydropower Project Public Relations Officer Buddhiraj Adhikari said construction has also been affected by rising river levels and recurring landslides along access roads. He said excavators have been used to clear landslides and help vehicles carrying construction materials cross difficult sections.

The Upper Myagdi Hydropower Project, currently being developed with a capacity of 37 MW, is also in the process of increasing its capacity to 46.25 MW. Its construction has likewise been affected by floods and landslides.

Dar Khola Hydropower Chairman Resham Bhandari said landslides at various locations along the Beni-Darbang and Darbang-Takam road sections have created serious difficulties in transporting construction materials to the project site.

In addition to projects under construction, two operational hydropower projects have also been shut down due to natural disasters.

The 6 MW Rele Khola Hydropower Project has remained out of operation after floods from the Relekharka area of Narchyang in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 deposited debris around its dam area.

Similarly, electricity generation from the 14 MW Ghar Khola Hydropower Project was halted after a dry landslide buried its powerhouse at Pokharebagar in Annapurna Rural Municipality-6 on Shrawan 26.

One person was killed and another injured in the landslide.

Continued floods and landslides have disrupted roads and project access routes, raising concerns over delays in construction schedules and additional financial losses in Myagdi’s hydropower sector.