India Approves 654 MW Electricity Supply to Nepal

India has approved the supply of electricity to Nepal for 18 hours a day until December 31, providing critical energy support after catastrophic flash floods damaged hydropower infrastructure and reduced domestic generation.

The Ministry of Power has authorized exports to the Nepal Electricity Authority, offering the Himalayan nation additional electricity as it grapples with widespread disruption to its power system.

Under the arrangement, India can export up to 600 MW through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV double-circuit transmission line and another 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV single-circuit link.

The floods have inflicted significant damage on Nepal's hydropower infrastructure, eroding domestic generation capacity and creating an additional electricity requirement.

India's approval will help Nepal bridge the immediate power deficit while reinforcing longstanding bilateral energy cooperation.

In addition to energy support, India has also stepped up humanitarian assistance, dispatching relief supplies and personnel for search, rescue, and forensic operations.

Indian Air Force aircraft have transported emergency material to Kathmandu, including specialized equipment such as mud-rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers, and dewatering pumps.

The death toll from the flash floods has climbed to 1,386, while about 5,130 people remain missing across the affected regions.

The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastating settlements across northern and central Nepal.

Nepal PM Balen Shah has thanked India and China for their flood aid, as the country confronts the enormous human and infrastructure cost of the disaster.

Search and rescue operations remain underway, with security forces having rescued more than 13,700 people and another 339 people receiving hospital treatment.

The approval of electricity supply from India will play a crucial role in helping Nepal recover from the devastating floods.

This move is a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between India and Nepal, as they work together to address the challenges posed by the disaster.

In the coming months, India and Nepal will continue to work together to rebuild and restore the affected areas, with a focus on providing essential services such as electricity and healthcare.

The situation in Nepal remains dire, but with the support of India and other countries, the country is slowly beginning to recover from the devastating floods.