India to Supply Power to Nepal Amid Flood Recovery Efforts
Power Supply Agreement with Nepal
Photo: IANS
New Delhi, September 14: The Indian government has sanctioned a plan to provide electricity to Nepal for 18 hours daily until the end of December 2026. This decision comes in response to the severe damage inflicted on Nepal's hydropower facilities due to recent catastrophic flash floods, as stated in an official announcement.
According to the Ministry of Power, the approval allows for the export of up to 600MW of electricity via the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV double circuit line and an additional 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV single circuit line. A review of the power export volume for January 2027 will take place in December 2026.
The floods have significantly impacted Nepal's hydropower infrastructure, diminishing its ability to generate electricity domestically and increasing the need for external power supply.
This initiative is expected to assist Nepal in fulfilling its energy needs during this challenging time and will further enhance the longstanding energy partnership between India and Nepal, as highlighted in the statement.
India has reiterated its commitment to aiding Nepal and fostering bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
In addition to the power supply, India has ramped up its humanitarian efforts in response to the floods, sending relief materials and personnel to assist in search, rescue, and forensic operations. The Indian Air Force has been utilized to transport essential supplies to Kathmandu.
Specialized equipment, including mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers, and dewatering pumps, has also been dispatched. Furthermore, India has provided DNA kits and reagents to facilitate victim identification.
As of now, the death toll from the flash floods has reached 1,386, with additional bodies being recovered from eight districts affected by the disaster.
The floods, which were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, have wreaked havoc on communities in northern and central Nepal.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 104 of the deceased have been identified and returned to their families, while approximately 5,130 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security forces having rescued over 13,700 people so far. Currently, 339 individuals are receiving medical treatment in hospitals.