Rasuwagadhi Hydel Project partly reopens

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 8: The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, built under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower Company, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has resumed partial operation after repairing structures damaged by a devastating flood.

On the morning of July 8, 2025 a glacial lake outburst flood from the Lende River, originating in Tibet, China, severely damaged the project’s dam and other headwork structures.

After repairing the headwork, one of the three units at the 111 MW project was brought back into operation on Saturday by temporarily diverting water from the river.

 A single unit generates 37 MW of electricity of 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project.

According to Managing Director of NEA Manoj Silwal, reconstruction work is underway to bring the remaining two units into operation within a month and complete the remaining repairs in the headworks area before the upcoming rainy season.

He said that the restoration of the project was made possible through the dedicated efforts of officials and staff from NEA, Chilime and Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company. 

He said, “Once the project starts generating electricity, it will be easier to manage the electricity demand during the winter.”The flood had washed away the equipment, gates and other equipment that prevent the flow of wood, weeds and plants in the headworks area of ​​the project.

More than two metres of mud had accumulated in the headworks control building. Large stones had fallen into the headworks and the structures built to send water to the tunnel had collapsed.  On the day of the incident, 22 employees working in the hydropower project were rescued from the headworks area and the residential area by an army helicopter. 

The staff residential area was completely washed away. 

Not only was the project affected by the floods, but the main highway leading from Syafrubesi to the project site was also blocked at various places by landslides.The project had begun commercial electricity generation on December 31, 2024. However, production had been halted since floods caused extensive damage. 

Once the project is fully operational, 613.8 million units of electricity will be generated annually. The company will earn an annual income of Rs. 3.25 billion from the sale of this electricity.