Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company Limited (RHPL) has suspended electricity generation at its 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project following extensive damage caused by a major flood in the Bhote Koshi River.

According to the company, the flood occurred on Wednesday morning, Bhadra 10, 2083 BS, in the source river of the project. The flooding caused significant damage to the dam site, residential facilities and most of the structures of the hydropower project.

The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project is located along the boundary of Wards 1 and 2 of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality in Rasuwa district.

RHPL said preliminary information indicates that substantial damage has been inflicted on the project’s key infrastructure. The company is yet to determine the full extent of the damage as the situation in the flood-affected area remains difficult to assess.

The status of most employees working at the hydropower plant also remains unknown following the incident, according to the company.

RHPL has described the flood as an unprecedented and uncontrollable event and said electricity generation from the 111 MW hydropower project has been halted for the time being.

The suspension comes after severe flooding in the Bhote Koshi corridor, which has affected hydropower infrastructure in the region. The extent of damage to Rasuwagadhi’s generation facilities and the time required to restore electricity production remain uncertain.

Further assessment of the dam, powerhouse, transmission and other project infrastructure is expected as rescue and response operations continue in the flood-hit area.

The company is expected to provide additional information after authorities and project teams are able to assess the condition of the infrastructure and personnel and determine the extent of the damage.