KATHMANDU: The devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River have affected 12 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 669 MW in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with 894 people linked to the projects still unaccounted for, according to preliminary figures.

Of the affected projects, eight are operational and four are under construction. In Rasuwa, six projects with a combined capacity of 494 MW have been affected, with 726 people missing. In Nuwakot, six projects totaling 176 MW have been affected, with another 168 people unaccounted for.

The most critical situation is at the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 project, where 573 people remain missing. Around 300 of them are believed to be workers who were operating inside tunnels. After three more people were rescued on Monday, the number of people rescued or accounted for from the project reached 873.

The 111 MW Rasuwa Gadhi project has 93 people missing, while 22 MW Chilime has eight, 20 MW Langtang Khola has 41, 60 MW Upper Trishuli-3A has 42 and 37 MW Upper Trishuli-3B has 122 people unaccounted for.

Rescue operations at Upper Trishuli-3A have been complicated after water entered the tunnel. Pumps are being used to remove the water. At Upper Trishuli-3B, most project structures have been swept away, while the 220 kV Trishuli-3B Hub Substation has also been completely damaged.

Other affected projects include Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi, Mailung Khola and Middle Trishuli Ganga, where four, seven and two people respectively remain unaccounted for.

The Nepal Army, project engineers, mountaineers and Indian technical teams have been mobilized for rescue operations. However, floodwater, debris, collapsed access roads and blocked tunnel entrances have made the search extremely difficult.

The disaster has damaged powerhouses, tunnels, access roads, substations and other hydropower infrastructure, raising concerns over prolonged power disruptions, higher reconstruction costs and delays in project completion.