KATHMANDU: Floods and landslides last week caused significant damage to hydropower projects under construction and in operation in Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi district.

The disaster has affected three under-construction projects with a combined capacity of 266 megawatts, while eight operational projects totaling 216 megawatts have been disconnected from the national grid.

The 66.3-megawatt Madhya Kaligandaki Hydropower Project, promoted by Hydro Support Pvt. Ltd., sustained the most severe damage. The flood destroyed the dam, tunnel, residential buildings, machinery, and construction equipment. Project Managing Director Guru Dhakal stated that the full extent of the damage remains unassessed as the floods severed road, power, and communication links to the site. The civil contractor, Rasuwa-Multi JV, has suspended construction work. The project, estimated to cost Rs 12.93 billion, is now expected to face delays.

Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairman Bharat Kumar Pun reported that the floods destroyed transmission line towers, forcing the shutdown of six projects with a total capacity of 176 megawatts in Myagdi and Mustang. Affected projects include Ghaleamdi Khola, Mistri Khola, Nilgiri-1, Nilgiri-2, Rele Khola, and Thapa Khola. Additionally, the 14-megawatt Ghar Khola project has been offline since late July due to a landslide.

The floods also damaged infrastructure at the 180-megawatt Kaligandaki Gorge and 9-megawatt Super Ghaleamdi Khola projects. Furthermore, the 40-megawatt Rahughat Hydropower Project, developed by a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority, has suspended test production after floodwaters damaged its powerhouse complex. The floods also severely damaged sections of the Beni-Jomsom road, complicating access to the project sites.