Power and communication cut across Dhaulagiri region, restoration work underway

Power and communication services have been disrupted in the Dhaulagiri region and other districts after floods swept away transmission lines and fiber poles along the Kaligandaki corridor.

After erosion by the Kaligandaki swept away poles carrying fiber cable at Sahasradhara, Kushma-1 in Parbat, Nepal Telecom and private companies' mobile, landline and internet services have been affected in Myagdi, Baglung and Mustang since Sunday morning.

Yuvraj Paudel, chief of Telecom's Myagdi distribution center, said four poles carrying about 500 meters of fiber cable were swept away. The communication disruption has hampered rescue and relief work.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, power supply is completely cut in Baglung, Myagdi, Manang and Mustang after a 33 kV line was swept away. Surya Gautam, chief of the Gandaki provincial office, said a new tower is being installed to restore power in Baglung and Myagdi by Sunday night, but restoration in Manang and Mustang will take longer due to road problems.

Supply has also been cut in Rolpa, Pyuthan and East Rukum. The 33 kV line from Arghakhanchi to Pyuthan, and the Lamahi-Jhimruk 132 kV line, which broke at Murkuti in Dang, are being repaired.

The authority said industrial power consumption has been reduced after production stopped at projects with a combined capacity of about 350 MW. In Madhes, 78 poles have fallen, 14 distribution transformers have been damaged and water has entered three substations.