India Approves 654 MW Daily Power Export to Flood-Hit Nepal Through December 31, Extending 18-Hour Supply After Himalayan Disaster Damaged Hydropower Infrastructure

India's Ministry of Power approved the export of up to 654 MW of electricity to Nepal for 18 hours a day from September 13 through December 31, 2026, following extensive damage to the Himalayan country's hydropower infrastructure caused by devastating flash floods. The approval allows up to 600 MW through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV double-circuit transmission line and up to 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV single-circuit line, with electricity supplied to the Nepal Electricity Authority from midnight to 6 PM each day. The quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 will be reviewed in December 2026. The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages across northern and central Nepal. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 104 of the recovered bodies have so far been identified and handed over to their families, with around 5,130 people remaining missing. The recent floods caused significant damage to Nepal's hydropower infrastructure, reducing domestic power generation capacity and creating an additional requirement for electricity. A Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment estimated NPR 151.45 billion in physical damage to the hydropower sector, while approximately NPR 390.62 billion will be required for recovery and reconstruction. The assessment identified 13 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 783 MW among the damaged infrastructure, alongside damage to access roads, transmission systems and supporting structures. It also recorded 917 employees and workers associated with affected projects as unaccounted for at the time of assessment. India's assistance has extended beyond electricity, with the Indian Air Force's eighth special flight reaching Kathmandu on September 9 carrying more than 130 tonnes of relief supplies, 54 specialist personnel, tunnel-rescue equipment and forensic assistance for DNA identification. A power minis