India approves 18-hr daily power supply to Nepal till Dec 31
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New Delhi: India has approved the supply of electricity to Nepal for 18 hours a day until December 31, 2026, following extensive damage to the Himalayan country’s hydropower infrastructure caused by devastating flash floods, an official statement said on Monday.
“The Ministry of Power has accorded approval for the export of power, for 18 hours a day to Nepal Electricity Authority till December 31, 2026,” the statement said.
Under the approval, India will export up to 600 MW of electricity through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV D/c transmission line and up to 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV S/c line.
The quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 will be reviewed in December 2026, the statement added.
The recent floods caused significant damage to hydropower infrastructure in Nepal, reducing domestic power generation capacity and creating an additional requirement for electricity.
The approval will help Nepal meet its power needs during the difficult period and further strengthen the longstanding energy cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.
“India remains committed to supporting Nepal and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector,” it added.
India has also stepped up humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the floods, providing relief material and deploying personnel to support search, rescue and forensic operations.
Indian Air Force aircraft were used to transport relief and rescue supplies to Kathmandu.
India also sent specialised technical equipment, including mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers and dewatering pumps.
It has further provided DNA kits, reagents and equipment for DNA profiling to help identify victims.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the flash floods has risen to 1,386, with more bodies recovered from eight affected districts.
The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages across northern and central Nepal.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 104 of the recovered bodies have so far been identified and handed over to their families. Around 5,130 people remain missing.
Security forces continue search and rescue operations. More than 13,700 people have been rescued so far, while 339 people are undergoing treatment in hospitals.
With IANS inputs