Flood damages various infrastructures across country

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 21: Monsoon-induced disasters caused by continuous rain for the past few weeks have wreaked havoc in the country. Flood in the Seti River caused damage to Tanahu Hydropower and residents of the earthquake-affected areas in Jajarkot are living in the constant threat of possible floods and landslides.

Our Tanahu correspondent Amar Raj Naharki reported that continuous heavy rainfall has caused the Seti River to flood, damaging the Tanahun Hydropower Project. The chief of the Tanahun Hydropower Project, Shyamji Bhandari, reported that the flood has affected the dam site under Package-1. 

He said that the damage assessment is ongoing, and detailed information is yet to be received. Bhandari said, “Since a temporary diversion tunnel had already been constructed, the damage was minimal. The insurance company and technical team are collecting details of the damage.”

According to Bhandari, the flood damaged the crushing plant (used for producing gravel and sand) and the cooling plant (for cooling gravel and sand). The flood swept away seven small boxes containing materials during the night. To prevent further damage, the equipment from both plants has been moved to safer locations.

The contract agreement for constructing a 140-metre high dam under Package-1 was implemented on May 29, 2022, with Song Da Corporation, Vietnam-Kalika Construction Private Limited Nepal JV. 

The contract for the construction of tunnels, powerhouses, and the supply, installation, and operation of hydromechanical and electromechanical equipment under Package 2 was signed with Sino Hydro Corporation, China, on October 1, 2018. 

Similarly, the contract for constructing a 220 kV double circuit transmission line from Damauli to Bharatpur, Chitwan, under Package-3, was signed with KEC International Limited, India, on December 25, 2018, and implemented on February 22, 2018. Bhandari said that Package-1 is 35 per cent complete, Package-2 is 73 per cent complete and Package-3 is 73 per cent complete, with an overall project progress of 58 per cent.

The financial management of the company's capital structure involves a total project cost of USD 505 million. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing USD 150 million, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing USD 184 million, the European Investment Bank is providing USD 85 million, and the Government of Nepal/Nepal Electricity Authority is contributing USD 86 million. 

The project aims to produce an annual average of 587.7 million units of electricity for the first 10 years and 489.9 million units thereafter. The overall construction of the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project in Rishing Rural Municipality-1, Jhaputar, is targeted to be completed by Asar 2083.

The threat of floods and landslides makes earthquake victims in Jajarkot anxious.

Our Jajarkot correspondent Basudev Sharma reported that residents of earthquake-affected areas are living in fear and anxiety. The people of Bheri Municipality, Nalgad Municipality, Barekot Rural Municipality and Kushe Rural Municipality are anxious that the continuous rain might destroy their already damaged houses which they are forced to inhabit due to the lack of proper temporary housing.

After the earthquake cracked their houses on the night of November 3, 2023, most of the victims were living in temporary shelters and houses rendered uninhabitable. With the fear of the earthquake still lingering, the onset of monsoon floods and landslides has further tormented the people.

Prem Bahadur Shahi of Nalgad Municipality-5 said that as the risk of floods and landslides increases in the villages, it has become difficult for people to keep themselves safe. The steep terrain and remote, geographically isolated villages make it challenging for common people to move around easily, forcing them to stay in temporary shelters. 

Residents of Tuling village stay awake all night during rain

Our Humla correspondent Rajan Rawat reported that residents of Tuling Village in Simkot Rural Municipality-7, stay awake all night when it rains.

The landslide on the night of July this year caused by continuous rainfall has forced the villagers to stay awake at night, during the lingering threat of landslide.

Local Sarki Shahi said that since the night of July 4, the villagers have stayed awake all night during the rain. The continuous landslide on the western and southern sides of the village has made it difficult to predict when a flood or landslide hits the village. 

The landslide which started from 500 metres above the village destroyed water supply and irrigation mills. 

He said that since that landslide, the continuous erosion of land during rain has caused the villagers to live in constant fear.

Ward Chairman Balbir Shahi said that there is no immediate plan of relocating the settlement elsewhere, so the villagers are advised to stay alert at night.