Kulman Ghising on the lessons Nepal must learn from the hydropower disaster
Summary
Kulman Ghising says the Bhotekoshi disaster exposed major safety flaws in Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure and calls for stronger tunnel design, underground facilities, remote operations and better flood warning systems. He estimates sector losses at Rs100 billion to Rs150 billion and says the country can avoid winter load-shedding despite the damage.
Key Points
- The Bhotekoshi river disaster damaged 13 hydropower projects and transmission infrastructure across Rasuwa and Nuwakot, leaving hundreds of workers temporarily out of contact.
- Kulman Ghising says the crisis exposed serious safety risks in hydropower tunnels, powerhouses and access routes, especially during floods and glacial outburst events.
- He estimates total hydropower-sector losses at Rs100 billion to Rs150 billion and says Nepal still has enough electricity capacity to avoid winter load-shedding.
- Ghising recommends major safety reforms, including higher tunnel portals, underground desanders, emergency exits, portable oxygen, remote operations and basin-wide flood monitoring.
