Kathmandu. The Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) has expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property due to flash floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other districts.

The floods have caused extensive damage to human settlements, hydropower projects, roads, bridges and other physical infrastructures, according to IPPAN. IPPAN has urged the government and security agencies to give priority to the immediate rescue of the flood-affected and disappeared civilians, security personnel, civil servants and workers working in hydropower projects as rescue operations are underway.

According to IPPAN, dozens of hydropower projects in operation and under construction in the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi river basins have been damaged. Preliminary information has been received that dams, headworks, power houses, access roads, transmission structures, construction materials, etc. of the projects located on the banks of the river and in the flood-affected areas have been damaged.

Five projects with a capacity of 236 MW in Rasuwa and three projects with a capacity of 342.42 MW are estimated to have suffered damages. Similarly, four projects of about 123 MW in Nuwakot and two projects of about 52.6 MW under construction were also damaged.

Some projects that have not suffered any direct physical damage have also been cut off from the national grid after the damage to the Upper Trishuli-3 ‘B’ hub substation.

IPPAN has urged the Government of Nepal, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local administration and concerned bodies to immediately search for workers, employees and technicians working in the affected projects, rescue them and relocate them to safer places. It has also requested the project promotion companies and private sector energy entrepreneurs to mobilize their resources, human resources and equipment in rescue and relief.

The EPPAN also urged the government, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal Electricity Authority and the Department of Electricity Development to accord national priority to the reconstruction of flood-damaged hydropower projects and transmission infrastructures and reconnect them to the national grid.

According to IPPAN, policy facilitation, financial and technical support, facilitation in the insurance claim process and speedy reconstruction of transmission infrastructure are necessary for the reconstruction of the project.

IPPAN has said that it will collect and document the detailed damage details of the hydropower projects affected by the floods. It also said that effective coordination between the government, security agencies, the private sector and the local community is necessary from immediate rescue to long-term reconstruction.

Expressing tribute to those who lost their lives in the floods, IPPAN extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy rescue of the missing citizens and workers.