Record Breaking Rainfall and Severe Floods in Nepal Disrupt Roads, Hydropower, and Economy: A Stark Reminder of 2015

Have you been keeping up with the news about the floods in Nepal? It’s like the country is in a battle with nature once again. The non-stop rain over the past few days has caused some serious damage—blocked roads, hydropower plants getting wrecked, and the whole situation has people on edge. It kind of feels like déjà vu, reminding everyone of the earthquake back in 2015. That disaster didn’t just break buildings, it shook the economy too, and the effects are still being felt.

Hydropower Taking a Hit?

Nepal’s energy infrastructure is taking a beating. The Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, which is massive at 456 MW, has had some serious damage to its headbox and powerhouse. And it’s not just the big guys—smaller projects like Mandu (22 MW) and Hewa Khola (22.1 MW) have also been hit hard. Even the construction of the Upper Trishuli 2 project has come to a standstill.

But here’s the kicker: key transmission lines, like the Khimti-Lamosangu and Solu Corridor lines, have been wiped out in places. That’s left Kathmandu’s electricity supply pretty shaky, with entire transmission towers being swept away in the floods. To cope, Nepal had to import 300 MW of electricity from India just to keep things running. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile the energy situation is.

Roads Blocked and Kathmandu Isolated?

As if the power issues weren’t enough, travel has become a nightmare. Around 46 major roads that connect Kathmandu to the rest of Nepal are now blocked due to landslides. Goods are stranded, people are stranded—it’s a mess. Other areas outside the capital are facing the same problems, with roads cut off and people struggling to get access to essential services.

The impact on transportation, trade, and tourism is immediate. Delays in deliveries, paused construction projects, and fewer travelers mean that the entire economy slows down—from small businesses to larger companies that depend on these routes.

The Economic Toll of Natural Disasters?

Nepal has been through this before, and the 2015 earthquake is a prime example of how nature can stall economic growth. That earthquake caused an estimated $7 billion in damage. It wasn’t just infrastructure that crumbled; the long-term economic slowdown was real. These floods are doing the same thing—they’re hitting the roads, hydropower, and communication lines, all of which are vital for keeping the economy moving.

Tourism, which was already in recovery mode post-pandemic, is one of the first industries to feel the pain. With the chaos caused by the floods, travelers might cancel their plans, and that’s a huge blow to hotels, tour operators, and the many businesses that depend on tourists. The same thing happened after the 2015 earthquake, when tourism numbers nosedived, leaving a big hole in one of Nepal’s top revenue streams.

For local businesses, these disruptions drive up costs. Road blockages make transportation more expensive and unreliable. Farmers, for example, can’t get their produce to market in time, and that means lost income for them.

Where Do We Go from Here??

The earthquake of 2015 taught Nepal an important lesson: rebuilding takes time and money, but it’s also an opportunity to make things stronger. Nepal’s economy is resilient, but these disasters keep showing that better planning and preparation are needed. The floods are another reminder that the country is always walking a tightrope between economic growth and the natural disasters that keep coming its way. And when it comes to infrastructure development, there are many lessons yet to be learned. Most importantly, disasters can happen anytime and anywhere but they are not the true culprit. Our own acts contribute to the damages from these disasters and this seems to be one such reminder for us to have a long term strategic approach when it comes to building infrastructure and expanding our settlements.