Flooding in the Marsyangdi River has halted electricity generation at two major hydropower projects in Lamjung, taking 120 MW of generation capacity offline.

The 70 MW Middle Marsyangdi Hydropower Project stopped generation at around 4 AM on Sunday after rising river levels increased the amount of silt and sand accumulating at its dam. The project’s dam is located at Udipur Dalal in Besisahar Municipality-1, while its powerhouse is in Siundibar, Sundarbazar Municipality-9.

The 50 MW Upper Marsyangdi ‘A’ Hydropower Project stopped generation at around 1 AM on Saturday after the river flow increased. The project’s dam is located at Ngadi in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-7, with its powerhouse at Bhulbhule in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-8.

According to Middle Marsyangdi center head Tara Dutta Bhatta, all three dam gates were opened after silt and sand accumulated in the reservoir, increasing the risk to the dam. Generation cannot resume until the sediment settles and river flow decreases.

Middle Marsyangdi had already been shut down twice on Saturday to clear accumulated sand.

At Upper Marsyangdi ‘A’, river flow was measured at around 1,500 cubic meters per second on Saturday night. Project head Karna Adhikari said all three dam gates were opened and generation was stopped as a precaution.

Although the river flow has declined somewhat, officials said conditions are not yet considered safe. Generation will resume once water levels and river flow fall sufficiently.

Several hydropower projects are under construction along the Marsyangdi River in Lamjung and Manang. Project officials said heavy rainfall and sediment released from construction areas have increased the flow of mud, sand and gravel into the river, creating additional challenges for existing hydropower projects.