Micro hydels damaged in Gorkha landslides

GORAKHA, Aug 12 :

At least three micro hydropower projects in the remote northern part of Gorakha district were swept away in landslides triggered by incessant rainfall.

On Saturday alone, landslide eroded 10 meter long dam of Nauli Khola micro hydropower project (30 kilowatts) in Lapu VDC. Following the landslide, around 200 households have been living in darkness for the last five days.

Nauli Khola project constructed by Asian Development Bank and Alternative Energy Promotion Center supplied electricity to 60 households in Thumi and Uhiya VDCs.

“We have been living in darkness as the landslide on Saturday swept away the project reservoir,” said Jib Gurung, a local teacher.

Likewise, Lunget Khola micro hydropower project (26 kilowatts) of Lapu has also shut down after its 40-meter long pipe was swept away in the landslide. The closure of the project has affected around 150 households, said Chhiring Dorje, a local. The project had started generating electricity only a month ago.

According to Kulraj Chalise, district energy and environment officer, the contractor, will have to repair the damages Balche hydropower project (five kilowatts) of Barpak in Gorakha district has also stopped power generation from Saturday. Balche hydropower project was developed by the locals themselves.

The project supplied electricity to 35 households of Barpak VDC-2. Locals said they do not have enough funds to repair the damage.

Several micro hydropower projects with collective capacity of 1,800 kilowatts supplied electricity to over 10,000 households in the villages of Gorkha.

Source: Republica