Flash Floods Devastate Modi Khola: Landslides and Rising Waters Threaten Kaski and Parbat
Heavy rainfall and landslides in Kimrung have triggered severe flooding in the Modi Khola, forcing urgent evacuation warnings in Kaski and Parbat while damaging critical hydropower infrastructure.
Life along the banks of the Modi Khola has been thrown into chaos as heavy rainfall since Sunday morning triggered significant flooding across Kaski and Parbat districts in Nepal. The crisis escalated rapidly when landslides in Kimrung, Annapurna Rural Municipality-11, surged into the river, drastically raising water levels and causing immediate local damage.
Authorities from the District Administration Office Parbat and Modi Rural Municipality have issued an urgent appeal for residents in downstream coastal areas to remain vigilant and prepare for potential displacement. The situation turned critical around 3:00 PM, when officials noted the water level rose sharply, posing a direct threat to nearby settlements and infrastructure.
Hydropower Infrastructure at Risk
The flooding has not only disrupted communities but also struck Nepal's renewable energy sector. The 14.8-MW Modikhola small hydro project, a run-of-river facility owned by the Nepal Electricity Authority, was knocked out of commission after floodwaters damaged its intake and machinery. This plant, which has been operational since 2000 and generates 92.5 GWh annually, is a key component of the region's power grid.
This incident mirrors recent struggles for the sector; the Lower Modi-1 hydropower project in the same district faced similar devastation just days prior on July 6, requiring a week of intensive repairs by over 50 technicians to resume generating 9.5 megawatts of electricity. The scale of damage to that project was estimated at Rs 50 million, highlighting the recurring vulnerability of hydropower infrastructure to the region's volatile hydrology.
A Pattern of Environmental Vulnerability
The Modi Khola basin, flowing from the Annapurna range through Kaski to join the Kali Gandaki at Modi Beni, has long been a symbol of life and livelihood for the region. However, recent years have seen a troubling trend where hydropower projects are accused of failing to release mandatory minimum water flows, raising concerns about the river's long-term survival and ecological balance.
With the water levels in the Modi River remaining exceptionally high, officials continue to assess the full extent of the disaster while urging the public to prioritize safety over property. As the monsoon season continues, the resilience of both local communities and critical energy infrastructure remains under severe test.