Kathmandu, July 14

Telecommunication services across different districts in Province 1 and 2 have been affected due to the recent floods across different areas triggered by heavy rainfall.

As per Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) — the telecommunication sector regulator — heavy and constant rainfall across various districts in Province 1 and 2 followed by floods have affected power supply along the region and has also destroyed optical fibres, thereby resulting in disturbance in the telecommunication networks and other services in different parts of the two provinces.

“Telecom firms have notified us regarding the disturbance in telecommunication services in different areas hit by floods and their efforts to resume services promptly,” said Min Prasad Aryal, spokesperson for NTA.

According to him, the primary reason behind disturbance in the telecommunication services is the power cut-off in flood-hit areas while optical fibre laid underneath the ground has also been affected at some places. “All telecommunication services will be improved as soon as the power supply resumes along the flood-hit areas while we have directed all telecom companies to immediately repair flood-damaged optical fibres and ensure prompt improvement in their services,” added Aryal.

Meanwhile, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has informed that the demand of electricity across Province 1 and 2 has come down by almost 50 per cent as the flood has affected dozens of NEA’s power supply infrastructure along the region.

“The average demand for electricity in the country is 1,200 megawatts but it has come down to 600 megawatts following low demand in the Tarai.

However, the demand is gradually increasing as we have been repairing damaged power supply infrastructure promptly,” informed Prabal Adhikari, spokesperson for NEA.

As per him, renovation of all damaged power supply infrastructure will be completed within the next few days to ensure that power supply in Province 1 and 2 is regular.