Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Bhotekoshi Flood Halts Nepal’s Bangladesh Power Exports, Cuts India Supply
A major flood damaged several hydropower projects in Nepal.
These projects make electricity for Nepal and for nearby countries.
Nepal had to stop sending 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh.
It also reduced the electricity being sent to India.
Twelve projects were damaged by the flood.
Many workers were at the sites when the flood happened, and 974 people are still unaccounted for.
Rescue teams are searching tunnels, buildings and other dangerous areas.
Mudslides and blocked roads are making the work difficult.
Electricity exports may stay low until the damaged projects can produce power again.
Flooding damaged hydropower projects and transmission infrastructure in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
Nepal has stopped exporting 40 MW to Bangladesh from the Chilime and Trishuli hydropower projects.
Electricity exports to India have also been reduced because less power is available.
Twelve hydropower projects operated by Nepal’s government and private companies were damaged.
Authorities say 974 workers and employees remain unaccounted for, while rescue teams search blocked tunnels and project sites.
- Who
- Nepal Electricity Authority, rescue teams, hydropower operators, and workers at the affected projects are involved.
- What
- Flood damage halted Nepal’s 40 MW electricity export to Bangladesh and reduced exports to India; 974 workers and employees remain unaccounted for.
- When
- The disruption continued more than a week after the flood, with rescue work still ongoing.
- Where
- The affected hydropower projects and infrastructure are in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, including the Bhotekoshi River area.
- Why
- Flooding damaged generation facilities, transmission structures, roads and tunnel access, reducing available electricity and hindering rescue operations.
- Bangladesh export
- Nepal stopped supplying 40 MW from the Chilime and Trishuli hydropower projects.
- India export
- Electricity exports to India were reduced because generation and available export power fell.
- Projects damaged
- Twelve hydropower projects operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority and private companies were affected.
- Previously approved capacity
- Nepal had permission to export about 1,200 MW to India and Bangladesh combined.
- People unaccounted for
- A total of 974 workers and employees from the affected projects remain unaccounted for.
- Rescue operations
- Teams are searching tunnels and clearing blocked outlets at Langtang, Chilime, Upper Trishuli-3A and Upper Trishuli-3B projects.