Landslides Cut Power Across Bajura After 32 Poles Collapse

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Bajura: Electricity service through the national transmission line has been disrupted across Bajura after continuous rainfall triggered landslides that damaged power infrastructure. Power supply has remained cut off district-wide since Sunday night after landslides toppled 32 electricity poles in the Subakandh, Birekhola, and Nunepani areas of Badimalika Municipality-8.

According to Lokraj Joshi, acting chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority Distribution Center in Bajura, a landslide from above the road in Subakandh brought down seven poles, while another landslide in the Birekhola area destroyed 25 poles. He said the power outage began at around 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Joshi said technical teams were mobilized throughout Monday to restore the disrupted service, but they had to return from the field after rainfall resumed. Continuous rain and ongoing landslides have hampered repair and restoration efforts.

Bajura receives electricity through the 33 kV national transmission line running from Sanphe in Achham to the district headquarters, Martadi. Persistent rainfall since Saturday has triggered landslides at multiple points along the Sanphe–Martadi road section, damaging power poles and transmission lines.

The outage has left households in Martadi and other parts of the district without electricity. Industries, businesses, communication services, and other daily activities that depend on electricity have also been affected.

Meanwhile, the Sanphe–Martadi road has also been blocked at several locations by landslides caused by continuous rainfall. Although authorities have cleared debris and reopened sections of the road, fresh heavy rain has repeatedly caused new disruptions, according to the District Police Office, Bajura.

Ongoing rainfall, landslides, and road blockages have also created challenges in transporting equipment and technical teams needed for power restoration to the affected areas.

 

Jalasarokar