Kathmandu, September 25
Following a forecast of heavy rainfall from September 25 to 27, hydroelectric projects in the Gandaki basin have been placed on high alert.
After the Weather Forecasting Division projected that the Gandaki region would be heavily affected by the rains, the Department of Electricity Development under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said all hydropower plants in the basin have been put on high alert. Director General Sagar Raj Gautam said heightened precautions are in place at both Nepal Electricity Authority projects and those run by the private sector.
He said the Authority has directed all its projects to monitor weather updates continuously and take safety measures accordingly, while the Independent Power Producers’ Association (IPPAN) is coordinating on behalf of the private sector.
At a Nepal Electricity Authority board meeting held Thursday evening, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Birat Bhakta Shrestha, citing lessons from the Bhotekoshi flood, directed that weather updates be tracked continuously and that safety precautions be taken at hydropower plants and power infrastructure in the Gandaki region and other vulnerable areas.
Authority Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said all projects in the Gandaki basin have been placed under round-the-clock high alert. He said the Authority is coordinating continuously, and that IPPAN has deployed a representative to coordinate from the private-sector side.
Energy Ministry spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shakya said that after the Bhotekoshi flood damaged power infrastructure, hydropower projects, and substations, knocking out 10 percent of the power system, the government is now paying special attention to preparedness and early warning for any disasters that may follow.
