Budhigandaki Flood Cuts Power to Thousands Households in Northern Gorkha

Kathmandu: Nearly 5,000 households in northern Gorkha have been affected by power outages after a flood in the Budhigandaki River damaged infrastructure of the Sirdibas-Uhiya Micro Hydropower Project on Sunday.

The flood disrupted electricity supply to wards 3 and 6 of Chumanubri Rural Municipality after sweeping away key infrastructure of the project, according to Sujan Gurung, chairperson of the Sirdibas-Uhiya Micro Hydropower Project.

Gurung said the flood swept away 12 electricity poles and a transmission tower and damaged transmission wires, while the project's main powerhouse remained intact.

He said 971 households had been directly affected by the damage to the project, disrupting electricity supply to settlements including Lokpa, Dungla, Nyak, Philim, Chisapani, Aanga, Sarsyu, Nagchet, Ghattekhola, Pangsing, Jagat, Salleri, Paiyu, Bhaluwan and Sirdibas.

The power outage has disrupted daily life and administrative services in the remote mountain region. Narayan Sapkota, chief administrative officer of Chumanubri Rural Municipality, said the lack of electricity and internet connectivity had brought administrative work at the rural municipality to a standstill.

Several villages and settlements across northern Gorkha are also experiencing disruptions to electricity and internet services. Residents of Dharche Rural Municipality have been particularly hard-hit by the floods.

The damage to local power infrastructure has added to the difficulties faced by communities in the region, where reliable electricity and communication services are essential for daily activities and public service delivery.