Nepal Floods: 934 Hydropower Workers Remain Uncontactable

At least 934 people associated with 11 hydropower projects in Nepal’s flood-hit Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts remain out of contact after devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi River on August 26, according to the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN).

IPPAN said 730 people linked to six hydropower projects in Rasuwa and 204 people associated with five projects in Nuwakot remain uncontactable following the floods.

Upper Trishuli-1 Reports Highest Number

The 216-MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Rasuwa has reported the highest number of people who remain out of contact.

According to IPPAN, 576 people associated with the project are currently uncontactable. The project is being developed by Nepal Water and Energy Development Company (NWEDC), which is backed by South Korean investors, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, and local partners.

The 37-MW Upper Trishuli-3B Hydropower Project in Nuwakot has reported another 158 people who remain out of contact.

93 People Linked to Rasuwagadhi Project Uncontactable

The 111-MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project has reported 93 people associated with the project as remaining out of contact.

This is the third-highest number of missing or uncontactable people reported among the affected hydropower projects.

IPPAN said the remaining 107 people are associated with eight other hydropower projects. Some of these projects are still under construction, while others are already operational.

13 Hydropower Projects Affected by Floods

According to IPPAN, the August 26 floods affected 13 hydropower projects across Rasuwa and Nuwakot, with a combined installed capacity of 675.6 MW.

The floods also caused extensive damage to hydropower facilities and other infrastructure in the two districts.

Nepal Flood Death Toll Reaches 626

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said that 626 bodies recovered from the floods had been collected as of 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The authority also reported that 2,426 people remained out of contact.

The flooding was triggered by a sudden rise in the Bhote Koshi River and resulted in widespread loss of life and serious damage to hydropower projects, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the affected areas.