India approves emergency power exports to flood-hit Nepal
Nepal will receive up to 654 megawatts of electricity for 18 hours a day after flooding damaged at least 12 hydropower projects and created shortages.
India has approved expedited electricity exports to Nepal as the country responds to power shortages following reported glacial flooding that damaged critical hydropower infrastructure.
India’s Ministry of Power said up to 654 megawatts would be transmitted to Nepal for 18 hours a day until 31 December. The ministry said the arrangement would help meet Nepal’s electricity requirements during what it described as a difficult period.
India will review the export volume in December for possible supply from January. The approved figure represents the maximum permitted supply, rather than a guaranteed delivery volume.
At least 12 hydropower projects in Nepal were reportedly damaged. Before the floods, Nepal met almost all of its electricity needs through hydropower and exported surplus power to India; it has since been forced to import electricity.
The wider disaster, which followed a reported glacial mountain collapse on the China–Nepal border on 26 August, has caused deaths, disappearances and displacement. The United Nations and its partners are seeking nearly $50 million for survivors, while Nepali officials estimate that at least $5 billion will be needed for initial rebuilding.
