KATHMANDU: A Nepal Army helicopter successfully landed today at the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project, which was affected by the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River, to rescue stranded employees.
According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), although two landing attempts on Wednesday failed due to adverse weather conditions, the successful landing today has enabled on-site assessment of the project’s actual condition and the extent of flood damage.
Following instructions from Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, a high-level team led by NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha has been deployed to the affected area to expedite rescue operations, field inspections, and power restoration efforts.
The team includes NEA Deputy Executive Director Kiran Kumar Shrestha, Chief of the Distribution and Consumer Services Directorate and NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal, and Chirantan Bikram Rana, Chief Executive Officer of NEA Engineering Company, among others.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to restore electricity supply in flood-affected areas through alternative arrangements. The NEA said power service has already been resumed in Kharanitar, Samudratar, Chaugada, Likhu, and Panchakanya through alternative transmission lines.
Field inspections have also been conducted in other affected areas of Nuwakot district. Preliminary assessments indicate that electricity supply could be restored by energizing the 66 kV transmission line at 11 kV.
Accordingly, technical teams have been mobilized in the field to charge the Chapali–Devighat 66 kV and Balaju–Trishuli 66 kV transmission lines at 11 kV. The teams have intensified the necessary work to restore power services.
The Bhotekoshi flood caused extensive damage to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, making power restoration in the affected areas a major challenge. The NEA said it is continuing efforts to restore electricity services as quickly as possible by utilizing available alternative systems and technical measures.
Jalasarokar
