Rasuwa: Repair and restoration works on the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, which was damaged by the flood in the Lhende Khola on July 8, 2025, have reached approximately 75% completion. Following the completion of major repair and reconstruction works, the project has resumed power generation, currently producing 74 MW in line with the demand of the national electricity system.
Developed by harnessing the waters of the Bhotekoshi River along the Nepal–China border, the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project is one of Nepal’s key hydropower facilities. Although last year’s flood caused significant damage to the project, local resident Sonam Audi Tamang said that restoring operations within such a short period is a positive achievement despite the severe natural disaster.
According to Satya Ram Jyakhwa, Executive Director of Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company, all major restoration works have been completed, including repairs to powerhouse equipment damaged after floodwater entered the headrace tunnel, cleaning and removal of obstructions in the underground desander (sand-settling basin), and the rehabilitation of hydro-mechanical systems. The company has also completed riverbank protection works to safeguard the bridge used by the project, along with other necessary protective measures at vulnerable locations.
The company said that the work to break and remove massive boulders deposited by the flood at the dam site on the Bhotekoshi River has been completed, while the remaining dam repair and improvement works are now in the final stage. A new gate system has also been installed to filter river water before it enters the tunnel, enabling the project to generate electricity at its full installed capacity of 111 MW.
The company estimates that the flood caused losses exceeding NPR 3.5 billion. According to Santosh Adhikari, Chief of the hydropower plant, the project is now fully operational. However, due to lower domestic electricity demand, only 74 MW is currently being supplied to the national grid under the direction of the Nepal Electricity Authority.
Technical experts noted that, except for the dam area, most of the project’s infrastructure is located underground, making it less vulnerable to direct damage from landslides. The company is therefore planning to further strengthen the protection of external structures to ensure the project’s safe and sustainable long-term operation.
RSS