Floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall have caused significant damages to 11 operational hydropower projects with a total capacity of 625.96 MW, according to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.

Speaking at a press conference held in Kathmandu on Sunday, Energy Minister Deepak Khadka revealed that the energy sector alone has suffered approximately Rs2.45 billion in damages. He added plants from various hydropower projects, with a combined capacity of around 1,100 MW, have been shut down.

“Production at most power plants has been halted due to the emergency situation,” said Minister Khadka. He further reported that 15 under-construction hydropower projects, with a combined installed capacity of 1,010.29 MW, have also been affected by continuous rainfall.

In addition to the energy sector, the ministry reported that approximately Rs1.35 billion worth of damage has been sustained in river control and irrigation systems. Sarita Duwadi, secretary at the ministry, said several irrigation projects and river control systems had been damaged.

“There has been some damages to the lower section of the dam under the Kamala Irrigation Project, minor damage to a canal under the Narayani Irrigation Management Project, and the inundation of the under-construction cofferdam of the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project in Sindhuli,” she said.

The ministry also reported the washing away of a concrete bridge connecting Ramechhap and Sindhuli.