Gorkha:Around 5,000 households in northern Gorkha have been without electricity since Sunday midnight after a flood in the Budhigandaki River destroyed the Sirdibas Uhiya micro-hydropower project.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the power supply has been disrupted in Chumnubri rural municipality-3 and 6 after flash floods damaged the hydropower infrastructure. Sujan Gurung, chairperson of the Hydropower Project, explained that electricity has been cut off in several areas, including Lokpa, Dungla, Nyak, Philim, Chisapani, Anga, Nagchet, Ghattekhola, Pangsing, Jagat, Salleri, Paiyun, Bhaluban, Sirdibas, and Jagat.
Chairperson Gurung noted that although the flood washed away 12 electric poles and wires, the powerhouse remains intact. Narayan Sapkota, Chief Administrative Officer of Chumnubri rural municipality, reported that the power outage has caused problems for locals and disrupted administrative activities due to the lack of electricity and internet.
The former Vice-Chairperson of Chumnubri rural municipality, Kumari Gurung, highlighted that the flood has also swept away bridges and roads, making it difficult to travel between villages. As a result, nearly all villages in northern Gorkha are experiencing electricity and internet issues. The Dharche rural municipality has been particularly affected, with around 4,000 households across all seven wards left without power following damage to the Arughat-based distribution center of the Nepal Electricity Authority, according to Chief Administrative Officer Buddhiram Basnet.
Additionally, fifty households in Arughat rural municipality-5 are currently without power.