Bhotekoshi Flood Causes Billions in Damage to Hydropower Infrastructure
Summary
The Bhotekoshi flood has caused billions of rupees in damage to hydropower projects and transmission infrastructure in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, including the heavily hit 216 MW Upper Trishuli A project. Rescue efforts are ongoing for hundreds of missing workers, including Nepalese, Korean, Chinese and Indian nationals, while officials and investors assess the scale of the destruction.
Key Points
- The Bhotekoshi flood on August 10 damaged dozens of hydropower projects and transmission infrastructure, with losses estimated in the billions of rupees.
- The 216 MW Upper Trishuli A project, a major foreign-investment venture, was nearly destroyed and 548 workers remain unaccounted for.
- Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing with support from Korean teams, Sherpas, drones and trained dogs, and rescue remains the immediate priority over damage assessment.
- Officials say private-sector projects are insured and may be rebuilt, while government-owned projects face greater reconstruction uncertainty.
