Floods destroy Nepal hydropower plants and damage energy infrastructure

Floods from the Nepal-China border killed more than 1,300 people on 26 August and caused serious damage to the country's power supply. Twelve hydropower plants along the Trishuli River were badly hit. Around 700 megawatts of electricity capacity went offline, which is more than ten percent of Nepal's total. One plant, worth $647 million and supported by international banks, was nearly completely destroyed. Another, built with Chinese funding, was also severely damaged. Nepal relies on hydropower for almost all of its electricity. It also sells nearly $200 million of electricity each year to India and Bangladesh. Engineers say they do not yet know if the damaged plants can be repaired. Thousands of people are still missing.