Kathmandu. Kathmandu: Independent Power Producers Association Nepal has urged all hydropower projects to remain on high alert for the next three days.
In a press release issued here today, IPPAN urged the people to remain cautious after the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued a pre-warning for the preparation of hydropower projects by predicting that the water level in the rivers may cross the epicenter point due to excessive rainfall across the country on Shrawan 3, 4 and 5.
As per the agreement between IPPAN and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to exchange flood forecasts, the department has been continuously exchanging information to IPPAN for preparedness in this regard.
According to the Department, there will be heavy rainfall in eastern Nepal from the evening of Shrawan 24 to the morning of July 4. There is a high possibility of flooding in koshi, tamor, arun, tamakoshi, dudhkoshi, kankai and other rivers in eastern Nepal. The Koshi River may be in a position to approach or cross the alert level. The weather system, which is active from eastern Nepal, will move towards western Nepal. Kathmandu Valley and the lower coastal areas will be affected due to flooding in the Bagmati River in the evening of May 4, while there is a high possibility of flooding in the Mahakali River and its coastal areas from the evening of May 4 to the afternoon of May 5.
This time the weather system will affect baglung, Myagdi, Parbat, Syangja, Palpa, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi and other districts of central Nepal, affecting the mid-hills to the lower banks of the Narayani watershed. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, there is a possibility of moderate impact in rapti and Babai areas in the west, while there is a need to be more cautious in the Mahakali region from the evening of Shrawan 4 to noon on July 5.
IPPAN has urged all under-construction and operational hydropower projects across the country, including those affiliated to IPPAN, to carry out preparatory works to minimize possible human and physical losses due to the disaster.
Recalling the incidents of flood in Bhotekoshi river on July 29 causing huge damage to more than half a dozen hydropower projects under construction and completed in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, as well as floods and landslides in the past years, many employees involved in the construction of hydropower projects have lost their lives and the project has been shut down for years due to huge physical damage caused by the project. ।
IPPAN has urged the promoters of hydropower projects to avoid human casualties first during disasters. For this purpose, IPPAN has also urged all hydropower promoters to cooperate to close the gates of the projects and move to safer places by informing the Electricity Authority if the projects in operation are in operation by informing the projects constructed in the lower coastal areas on time after the hydropower projects constructed in the upper part of all the river corridors have seen the flood.
Ippan has also urged all hydropower promoters to share information at the local level to protect the lives and property of the local residents living in the river corridor by coordinating with the responsible people of the hydropower project as the information about the flood is first received by the employees living in the gauge station of the Meteorological Department.
It has also been urged to inform IPPAN if there is any human and physical damage anywhere, even while making preparations for minimizing the damage caused by the flood.
