Landslides force four micro hydro projects out of operation

Babiyachaur - At least four micro hydro power projects shut down here in Myagdi due to landslides and flooding triggered by torrential downpour.

Around 1500 households in Dhaularigi and Malika rural municipalities have been affected after the hydro power projects were forced out of operation owing to natural disasters.

A road connecting the two villages has also been blocked from a landslide while a suspension bridge was swept away in a flashflood.

Power generation at 51 – kilowatt Rumkhola micro hydro project of Malika rural municipality – 1 was obstructed after landslide fell over a power station. In another incident, a canal collapsed after a tree fell over it at Okharbot area shutting down the operation of 30 – kilowatt Dajungkhola micro hydro power project.

Power supply to Niskot, Rum, Okharbot, Devisthan, Darwang, Chyuribot, Mahavir and Dagre villages has been severed.

Meanwhile, 35 – kilowatt Darkhola 2nd micro hydro power project at Lamsung area of Dhaulagiri rural municipality – 2 closed down after a pipeline was swept away by the landslide. A total of 350 households plunged into darkness in Lulang, Lamsung and Khoriya villages following the incident, Project's Chairman, Krishna Gauchan said.

The operation of 30 – kilowatt Marangkhola micro hydro power project at Dhaulagiri – 6 was also disrupted after a landslide fell over blocking the Marang river. The flood triggered by the blockage later swept away a 100 – meter canal, according to ward member, Lok Bahadur Pun. The power supply to 300 households was cut off after the project was forced out of operation.