India to Supply Nepal with Daily Electricity Amid Flood Recovery
India has stepped in to support Nepal following severe floods that devastated the country’s hydropower infrastructure last month. The Indian government has approved the export of up to 654 megawatts of electricity daily to help meet Nepal’s urgent energy needs.
In a recent announcement, India’s Ministry of Power confirmed that the electricity will be supplied for 18 hours each day until the end of December. This initiative aims to assist Nepal during its time of crisis and further enhance the longstanding energy partnership between the two nations.
The floods, triggered by a glacial collapse on the border with China on August 26, resulted in over 1,400 fatalities in both Nepal and Tibet. These floods caused significant damage to at least 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, leaving more than 900 workers among the over 5,500 individuals still unaccounted for.
Prior to the floods, Nepal relied almost entirely on hydropower for its energy needs and was exporting surplus electricity to India. The recent disaster has forced the nation to import electricity, marking a significant shift in its energy dynamics.
The aftermath of the floods has left thousands of people displaced and seeking shelter in aid centers, with little hope of returning home soon. The United Nations and other organizations are seeking nearly $50 million in aid to support the survivors.
Nepali officials estimate that around $5 billion will be necessary for the initial stages of rebuilding. They highlight that this disaster underscores how climate change disproportionately affects poorer nations that have contributed less to the problem.
Recent studies indicate that the Himalayan region, where Nepal is located, is reaching a critical point as glaciers melt at a faster rate than in previous decades. This poses serious concerns for water security as the region approaches a critical water scarcity situation by mid-century.
