Nuwakot, August 28
The devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River have caused severe damage to hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, leaving hundreds of workers at affected sites in distress.
According to the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), 13 hydropower projects have suffered direct damage from the floods and landslides.
A total of 933 workers at the affected projects were initially reported out of contact. Of them, 254 have been rescued, while some others have since made contact. However, a large number of workers remain unaccounted for.
IPPAN Senior Vice President Uttam Bhlon said both private and government-owned hydropower projects have been affected by the disaster.
“The damage is greater than expected. Right now, everyone’s focus is on rescue and relief,” he said. “Rescue and relief efforts are underway at most hydropower projects where immediate assistance is needed, but the situation remains critical at some locations.”
According to Bhlon, projects including Langtang Hydropower, Upper Trishuli, Trishuli-3 ‘B’ and Chilime require urgent rescue operations. Some workers at the projects are feared to be trapped inside tunnels.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by the disruption of road and communication links. With mobile and telephone services unavailable in many areas, authorities have been unable to determine the exact whereabouts and condition of workers at the projects.
Bhlon said attempts to use private helicopters for rescue have also faced difficulties due to the lack of suitable landing areas and other technical and safety concerns.
“We are only able to contact those who have made it out. There is no road to reach the upper areas and mobile phones are not working,” he said. “Even if we bring private helicopters, there is nowhere to land. The state needs to coordinate and carry out immediate rescue operations.”
576 workers unaccounted for at one project
According to IPPAN, the whereabouts of 576 workers at the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project alone remain unknown.
Around 1,350 workers were employed at the project. While some have been rescued, a large number remain out of contact, IPPAN said.
Some workers from affected projects have been brought to safety, but the status of others remains unknown. IPPAN has said the immediate priority should be rescuing people who may be trapped inside tunnels and project premises.
“There are 576 people out of contact, and we do not have clear information about where they are,” Bhlon said. “If some of those trapped in the tunnels can be rescued, they may still be alive. That is why efforts to arrange helicopters are continuing.”
Hydropower sector relies on state for rescue
Although the private sector has been making efforts to rescue workers trapped at hydropower projects, IPPAN says the difficult terrain and lack of access have made immediate rescue operations impossible in some locations.
IPPAN said it has been regularly sharing information about the condition of workers at affected projects with the government, Nepali Army and Nepal Police.
The association is also preparing to mobilise institutional support for rescue and relief operations, Bhlon said.
The Ministry of Energy has held discussions with representatives of the affected projects and collected information on the damage and the humanitarian situation.
IPPAN has also nominated a civil engineer to a committee formed for post-flood reconstruction.
“We will provide whatever support we can for rescue and relief, and we are also working on mobilising support for the government’s relief fund,” Bhlon said. “The most important thing right now is rescuing people. Reconstruction can be done later.”
Completed projects also affected
The floods have affected not only projects under construction but also those that have already been completed.
Some project structures have been damaged, while others have been affected by disruptions to transmission lines and road access, hampering electricity generation and operations.
IPPAN said 13 projects have suffered direct damage from the floods. The number of indirectly affected projects could be significantly higher because roads, communication links and other access routes to several projects have been disrupted.
IPPAN is currently re-verifying information received from the projects. The details of people who have been rescued or re-established contact will be updated, while the actual number of people still missing will be determined.
The difficult terrain, disrupted roads and communication networks, and adverse weather have made rescue operations particularly challenging. IPPAN has called for urgent coordination among security agencies, helicopter operators and all relevant authorities to accelerate rescue efforts.
Additional helicopters deployed
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said rescue efforts for employees and workers stranded at various hydropower projects have been intensified.
The Nepal Electricity Authority said additional helicopters carrying necessary supplies, equipment and personnel have been sent from Kathmandu to the affected areas.
The helicopters were dispatched in coordination with security agencies and relevant authorities while following necessary safety measures, the authority said.
Rescue teams have been mobilised particularly to evacuate employees and workers stranded at various hydropower projects in Nuwakot and Rasuwa, as well as to relocate employees in the Shantibazar area to safer locations.
The safety and rescue of workers at flood-affected projects have been given high priority, the authority said, adding that rescue and relief operations will continue as necessary.
The authority has urged everyone to remain patient and calm during the crisis and to rely only on information issued by official agencies.
