Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Plant in Rasuwa, constructed by Chilime Hydropower Company, has resumed partial operations.

On June 8, a flood triggered by a glacial burst in Tibet’s Lhende River severely damaged the plant’s structures, including the headworks. After repairing the headworks, water was temporarily diverted from the river, and one of the three units in the powerhouse was restarted on Saturday. The plant’s total installed capacity is 111 megawatts, with each unit producing 37 megawatts.

The remaining two units are expected to be operational within a month, and other repair work in the headworks area will be completed before the next monsoon, said Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Manoj Silwal. NEA holds the majority stakes at Chilime Hydropower Company.

Silwal praised the relentless efforts of officials and staff from the NEA, Chilime Hydropower, and Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company, they put to restore the damaged structures and make the plant operational. “Power generation from the plant will help manage electricity demand during winter,” he said.

The flood washed away machines, gates, and other equipment designed to block debris such as wood, shrubs, and plants. More than two metres of sediment had accumulated in the headworks buildings. Large boulders hit the structures, and channels built to direct water to the tunnels were destroyed during the floods. Additionally, the tailrace, used to release water after power generation, was fully submerged, flooding the turbine floor.

On that day, 22 employees working at the plant were rescued by army helicopters from the headworks and residential areas, which were completely washed away. The flood also blocked the main road from Syafrubensi to the plant at several points due to landslides.

The plant had begun commercial power generation on December 31, 2024, but production stopped after the June flood. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate 613.875 million units annually, providing the company with over Rs3.25 billion in revenue from electricity sales.