3 days ago
Flood Damage Prompts Nepal to Seek Early Electricity Imports
Floods damaged some of Nepal’s ability to make electricity.
Nepal is worried it may not have enough power in the coming months.
It has asked India for permission to start importing electricity in September.
This is earlier than usual.
Normally, Nepal asks for imports around October, when its hydropower production falls during the dry winter season.
During the rainy monsoon season, Nepal often has extra electricity and sells some to India.
India is reviewing Nepal’s request.
Indian officials say they are working to provide more electricity if Nepal needs it.
Nepal has requested advance approval to import electricity from India from September.
The request follows flash floods that damaged Nepal’s power-generation capacity.
Nepal normally seeks Indian electricity imports around October for the dry winter months.
Electricity trade between the countries usually reverses seasonally, with Nepal exporting surplus monsoon power.
Indian authorities are processing the request and working to facilitate additional supplies if needed.
- Who
- The government of Nepal requested advance electricity-import approval from Indian authorities.
- What
- Nepal is seeking to import electricity from India beginning in September because floods damaged its generation capacity.
- Where
- The request concerns cross-border electricity supplies between Nepal and India; the damaged Trishuli Hydropower Station was in Nuwakot district, Nepal.
- When
- The imports are being sought from September; the request was made earlier than usual after the recent disaster.
- Why
- Flash floods damaged power-generation capacity, creating a potential electricity shortfall.
Key facts
- Requested start date
- September
- Usual import request period
- Around October
- Reason for early request
- Flash-flood damage to Nepal’s power-generation capacity
- Normal seasonal pattern
- Nepal exports surplus electricity to India during the monsoon and imports power during the dry winter months
- Approval framework
- An existing framework for cross-border power-supply arrangements
- Indian response
- Indian authorities are processing the request and working to facilitate additional electricity as required
- Affected facility mentioned
- The Trishuli Hydropower Station in Nuwakot district






