Kathmandu. The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project constructed under the aegis of Chilime Hydropower Project, a subsidiary company of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has come into operation.

The flood caused by the glacial lake outburst in Lyende River flowing through Tibet of China on July 7 had caused a big loss to the project headworks. After the repair of the headworks, one unit out of three units of the powerhouse was brought into operation from Saturday by temporarily diverting water from the river.

A single unit of the project with a capacity of 111 MW generates 37 MW. NEA Managing Director Manoj Silwal said that the reconstruction of remaining two units would come into operation within a month and the remaining repairs of the head works would be completed before the monsoon.

Managing director Silwal credited the untiring efforts and tireless efforts of officials and employees of NEA, Chilime and Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company to repair the damaged structures and bring the project into operation. “It will be easier to manage the demand for electricity during the winter season once the project starts generating electricity,” he said. ’

The flood had swept away timber, weeds, plants and other equipments in the head works area of the project. More than two meters of mud was piled up in the buildings including the headworks controls. Huge boulders had come up in the headworks and the structures that were meant to divert water to the tunnel had collapsed. Also, after generating electricity, the water from the tailrace used to water the river was completely submerged.

On that day, 22 employees of the hydropower project were rescued from the headworks area and housing area by an army helicopter. The staff quarters were completely washed away. Not only the project, but the main highway leading to the project site from Syafrubesi has also been obstructed due to landslides.

The project had started commercial power generation on January 16, 2081. However, power generation from the project was halted after the floods in June. The project will generate 613.875 million units of electricity annually after its full operation. The company is expected to earn Rs 3.25 billion annually from the sale of electricity.