India has extended an 18-hour daily power supply to Nepal, approved to run through December 31 following severe flooding.
The flooding disrupted parts of Nepal’s domestic power generation and distribution infrastructure, prompting the enhanced supply arrangement.
India and Nepal operate under an existing cross-border electricity trade framework, with power flowing between the two nations based on seasonal demand.
Nepal’s hydropower-dependent grid faces particular exposure during severe monsoon flooding, which can disable river-based generation.
The 18-hour daily figure represents a significant increase over Nepal’s typical cross-border power import levels.
The move comes amid broader efforts by India to strengthen its regional standing through infrastructure and energy cooperation with South Asian neighbours.
The extended power supply is intended to help Nepal manage electricity demand after recent severe flooding disrupted parts of its domestic generation and distribution infrastructure.
India and Nepal have an existing framework for cross-border electricity trade, with power flowing both ways depending on seasonal demand and generation capacity in each country.
The enhanced supply arrangement is set to remain in effect through December 31, covering peak periods of electricity demand in Nepal.
Cross-border power supply agreements between India and Nepal have expanded significantly in recent years as part of broader regional energy cooperation.
Nepal’s hydropower-dependent grid can be particularly vulnerable to disruption during severe monsoon flooding, when river-based generation facilities may be damaged or forced offline.
India’s power ministry coordinates cross-border electricity supply arrangements with neighbouring countries through mechanisms that account for both grid capacity and diplomatic considerations.
The 18-hour daily supply figure represents a significant increase over Nepal’s typical cross-border import levels during non-emergency periods.
Officials have not specified the exact quantum of additional power being supplied, though the arrangement is described as a direct response to the flooding-related shortfall.
India has periodically extended similar emergency power support to neighbouring countries during natural disasters affecting their domestic electricity infrastructure.
High voltage power transmission line, India, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
