Kathmandu [Nepal], September 13 – Stakeholders have urged the Nepal government to declare the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor a “special area” to accelerate recovery of communities and hydropower projects devastated by the August 26 floods.
Former energy minister and former Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Kul Man Ghising made the call at a Friday Forum organised by the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), on building climate-resilient infrastructure.
Ghising said the disaster which involved massive debris and an avalanche had set back Rasuwa district’s economic, social and physical infrastructure by 20 to 30 years.
He urged the government to provide customs exemptions, financial recovery packages, extensions for generation licences and commercial operation deadlines and legal provisions to increase the capacity of affected hydropower projects.
IPPAN President Mohan Kumar Dangi said 12 hydropower projects and one solar project were directly affected. Eight operating hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 281 MW were disconnected from the national grid while construction of four projects totalling 388 MW was halted.
Hydro-meteorologist Basanta Raj Adhikari said the disaster was unprecedented and may have involved a glacial lake outburst or massive debris flow linked to climate change.
He urged stronger infrastructure standards, safer project locations and advanced flood-warning systems.
Insurers estimated hydropower losses at Rs 15 billion to Rs 23 billion or more.
