India Approves 654 MW Power Export to Flood-Hit Nepal

The Ministry of Power of India approved the export of up to 654 MW of electricity to the Nepal Electricity Authority for 18 hours a day from September 13 through December 31, 2026. The decision follows catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by an August 26 ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, which killed nearly 1,400 people and damaged over a dozen hydropower projects. The disaster specifically impacted the Trishuli, Lhende Khola, Chilime, and Devighat projects, cutting domestic capacity by several hundred megawatts.

Electricity is being transmitted via the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar and Tanakpur-Mahendranagar lines between midnight and 6 p.m. daily. This energy assistance is part of a larger humanitarian response; India has deployed 54 experts and delivered 130 tonnes of relief materials, while the United States provided over $5 million in support. Nepal is seeking $5 billion for recovery and has received a verbal commitment from China to help rebuild the Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road.

Despite the import approval, tensions remain over export permits. The Nepal Electricity Authority reports that India has not yet renewed permits for the Upper Chameliya, Seti River, and Upper Tadi Khola projects, nor approved new exports to Bangladesh from the Kabeli B-1 and Solu Khola projects. While Nepal currently exports an average of 600 MW to India daily, officials warn that winter imports remain uncertain as India has stated it will review the matter later.