Flood-Hit Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Announces Restart of Full-Scale Production

KATHMANDU; The 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project (RHP), which sustained severe damage during the July 2025 flood in the Bhotekoshi River, has resumed the operation of all three generating units after completing major restoration works.

In a public notice, the company announced that all necessary maintenance and rehabilitation works had been completed, enabling the project to return to full operation before the onset of the monsoon. To facilitate the final phase of restoration, the project remained completely shut down for 20 days beginning June 9.

Developed under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower Company, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the project had commenced commercial operation on December 31, 2024. However, just six months later, on July 8, 2025, it suffered extensive damage to its dam and headworks following a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) originating from the Lhende River in Tibet.

The project initially resumed operation in the first week of January at around 61 percent of its installed capacity, generating 68 MW out of its total 111 MW capacity.

According to the company, the restoration included repairs to powerhouse equipment damaged after floodwater entered the headrace tunnel, cleaning and removal of debris from the underground desander, rehabilitation of hydro-mechanical systems, and the installation of a new gate system designed to filter river water before it enters the tunnel.

RHP Chief Santosh Adhikari said the project is currently supplying 74 MW of electricity directly to the Nepal Electricity Authority's national grid. According to him, the project will begin generating and delivering its full installed capacity very soon.