Nepal power supply to Bangladesh halts

Floods on August 26 damaged two power plants approved for exports to Bangladesh: the 22.1 MW Chilime Hydroelectric Project and the 24 MW Trishuli Hydroelectric Project. Power generation at both facilities remains suspended.

Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, Acting Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), confirmed that both export projects sustained damage. He noted that Nepal applied for Indian approval to route power from an alternative plant, as exports to Bangladesh dropped to virtually zero.

Nepal typically experiences surplus hydroelectric generation during the monsoon season. The country exported an average of 1,000 MW during past monsoons, establishing itself as a regional energy exporter. However, flood damage reduced generation capacity to approximately 650 MW.

A tripartite agreement was signed on January 5, 2024, between the NEA, India's NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN), and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Under the deal, Nepal exports 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh annually from June 15 to November 15.

During a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting in Dhaka on November 27, 2025, both nations agreed in principle to supply an additional 20 MW. However, Indian approval to utilize transmission lines for the additional capacity remains pending.

According to The Kathmandu Post, the Chilime plant held approval to export 21.4 MW and Trishuli 18.6 MW to India, both designated for onward transmission to Bangladesh.

The floods disrupted generation across 12 hydroelectric projects across Nepal.

The damage dealt a severe blow to Nepal's energy trade. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, Nepal exported electricity worth 29.32 billion Nepalese Rupees to Bangladesh and India. Despite importing 10.23 billion Rupees worth of power from India during the dry season, Nepal maintained a net trade surplus of 19.09 billion Rupees.

NEA officials are working to repair damaged generation and transmission infrastructure while engaging Indian authorities to approve alternate power routing to Bangladesh.

The August 26 disaster triggered flash floods and landslides along the Bhotekoshi River near the Tibet border, inundating settlements, roads, and bridges. Mud and debris surged downstream into the Trishuli River.

The torrents swept away people, vehicles, and infrastructure. According to The Hindu, the total death toll reached 1,250, with over 4,000 people remaining unaccounted for.