Bhote Koshi Floods 12 Hydropower Projects Shutdown, 431 MW Offline, Massive Damage to Transmission Lines
27th August 2026, Kathmandu
Bhote Koshi Floods: 12 Hydropower Projects Shutdown, 431 MW Offline, Massive Damage to Transmission Lines — A catastrophic flood in the Bhote Koshi River has shut down 12 projects totaling 431.1 MW, destroying the Trishuli substation and disrupting power across Nepal.
Hydropower Projects Shutdown 431 MW Offline
A catastrophic flood in the Bhote Koshi River, located in the Rasuwa district of Nepal, has severely disrupted the nation’s energy infrastructure, impacting approximately 10 percent of the country’s total power generation capacity.
The unprecedented flooding has inflicted heavy damage on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems, presenting a monumental challenge for power supply management across the country.
Key Highlights
431.1 MW Shutdown Capacity: 12 operating hydropower plants have been forced offline and cut off from the national grid.
470 MW Under Construction Damaged: 15 projects currently under development have sustained severe structural damage.
196+ Workers Missing: Search and rescue operations are ongoing for missing staff and laborers across project sites.
Transmission Collapse: The Trishuli 220 kV 3B Hub substation has been destroyed alongside multiple transmission lines and towers.
Severe Impact on Power Generation and Transmission
According to Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is working on a high-priority basis to maintain equilibrium between electricity demand and supply. Although the authority has successfully maintained system balance thus far, the massive destruction wrought by the floods signals mounting operational hurdles for the days ahead.
Initial technical reports reveal that 12 operational hydroelectric power generation plants with a combined capacity of 431.1 megawatts have been entirely shut down. Furthermore, preliminary assessments indicate that 15 under-construction hydropower projects totaling 470 megawatts have suffered severe structural damage.
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On the transmission front, the Trishuli 220 kV 3B Hub substation has been destroyed. The violent waters have also wreaked havoc across multiple 132 kV, 66 kV, and 220 kV transmission lines and high-voltage towers.
Widespread Outages and Humanitarian Crisis
Power supply in Rasuwa has been completely crippled, while partial electricity disruptions persist across various parts of Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha. Beyond infrastructure losses, an estimated 196 workers and staff members deployed across various project sites and facilities are currently reported missing.
“Human safety, search and rescue operations, and the restoration of essential power services remain the government’s highest priorities at this critical hour.” Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha
Emergency Response and Restoration Efforts
To accelerate rescue operations and grid rehabilitation, more than 15 vehicles belonging to the Nepal Electricity Authority have been mobilized in the disaster-hit zones. Additional specialized technical and rescue squads have been dispatched to the affected locations.
Local administration, security forces, and relevant agencies are collaborating closely to:
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Deploy alternative electricity arrangements to restore power supply incrementally.
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Carry out comprehensive repairs and reconstruction of damaged infrastructural assets.
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Execute intensified search and rescue operations for the missing personnel and laborers.
Detailed damage assessment and technical evaluations are currently underway. While current grid management has prevented a widespread blackout, the government has placed all disaster response protocols on high alert to tackle compounding challenges in the energy sector.
