Bajhang, July 21

Bajhang district headquarters Chainpur has plunged into darkness for the last 45 days after Surmadevi Hydro Electricity Project stopped generating power.

The hydel project failed to generate energy after the water in swollen rivers carried mud, boulders, logs and other debris. The embankment of the hydro project also collapsed due to the floods triggered by incessant rainfall, as per Surmadevi Hydro Project. The denizens of headquarters Chainpur, Jayaprithvi Municipality and other adjoining localities have been facing a hard time due to the prolonged power outage.

Project assistant manager Nava Raj Jagri said the hydel could not resume power generation due to the debris at the source of the embankment. “Water can’t pass from intake even if it is little blurred. No matter how much we clear it, water gets blocked due to unwanted materials,” said Jagri.

The project was repaired with financial support from JICA just six months ago. A total of Rs 850 million was spent for repairing the 200 KW project. A technical field monitoring team deployed from Nepal Electricity Authority had pointed out flaw in the design of the project. The report prepared by the team has shown problems in the geographical location of the embankment’s intake and design.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Keshav Bahadur Thapa said the design of the project was flawed. “We have been investigating how the repairs carried out by a reputed organisation like JICA failed so early,” said CDO Thapa.