Pokhara: A mud-laden flash flood in the Kimrong Khola at Annapurna Rural Municipality-11 in Kaski has caused damage to the under-construction 42 MW Upper Modi ‘A’ Hydropower Project.
The flood, which occurred on Sunday, entered the project site and damaged several physical structures and construction equipment, according to project engineer Kumar Madhu Belbase. He said the flood affected the project’s concrete batching plant, crusher plant, and other facilities.
“The access road to the project has also been damaged at several locations. Construction materials, including drums and pipes, were swept away by the flood,” Belbase said. “A detailed assessment of the damage is currently underway.”
He added that transportation to and from the project site has become difficult due to damage to the access road.
According to Assistant Head Constable Sagar Chaudhary of the Ghandruk Police Post, floodwaters also entered the project’s tunnels and temporary shelters. Preliminary estimates suggest the flood has caused more than NPR 10 million (Rs 1 crore) in damages.
Construction of the 42 MW Upper Modi ‘A’ Hydropower Project began two years ago after the contract was awarded. The project is being developed by a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) at an estimated cost of NPR 10.57 billion.
Meanwhile, the flood in the Kimrung Khola also swept away a local suspension bridge. After merging with the Modi Khola, the flood caused damage to one house, a restaurant, and the road connecting Ghandruk in Syauli Bazaar, located on the border of Annapurna Rural Municipality Wards 8 and 10.
Jalasarokar