Kathmandu. Most of the dark settlements in the most remote Himalayan rural municipality of Bajura district have turned shimmering after eight months. Most of the villages were in darkness after the flooded Bichhaya River swept away the canal of Kawadi Laghu Jal Vidya Yut on August 12.
Most of the settlements in the district that remained in darkness for long have been restored to power supply after seven months. The flood in the Bichhaya River had swept away the houses and property of the locals along with the electricity canal. An agreement has been reached between Himali Rural Municipality and Khatyad Rural Municipality to bring electricity to the settlements including Dhula Chaur.
The incessant rainfall has disrupted the Kuwasi River Hydropower Project in the rural municipality including Dhula Chaur. Power supply has been affected in Ward No. 4 Fati, Borta, Ward No. 5 Rugin, Nada Pata and Ward No. 6 Dhima Basti. For 7 months, the residents of these settlements had been living in darkness. The power supply has been resumed at the special initiative of Himali Rural Municipality.
The locals had been lighting solar lamps, tukki and candles since the power was disrupted.
Similarly, the traders in Dhula Chaur bazaar have been facing losses due to the non-operation of electronic devices for a long time. Market entrepreneur Ganesh Shahi said that the market entrepreneurs are very happy with the supply of electricity service in Dhula Chaur bazaar after seven months.
The power supply has been restored in Dhula Chaur Bazaar and other settlements after signing an agreement with Himali Rural Municipality and Khatyad Rural Municipality, Mugu. Locals are elated when the electricity has been restored after seven months. Himali Rural Municipality has signed an agreement with Mugu Electricity Service to expand its service in Khatyad Rural Municipality.
Bhimananda Pandey, spokesperson of Himali Rural Municipality, said that the power service was extended by signing an agreement till Ashad 2083. He also informed that the agreement will be extended as per the need. With the expansion of electricity service, the rural municipality has provided assistance for the installation of an electric machine and daily electrical work at Dhula Chaur, the rural municipality said.
In February 2017, the Kawadi Micro Hydropower Project produced 100 kilowatts of electricity and supplied electricity to 1,100 households. All these households were deprived of services after the canal collapsed due to flooding in the river. The floods had also damaged drinking water, roads and other physical infrastructure.
Himali Rural Municipality, one of the most remote rural municipalities in the country, has returned to the rhythm of development in recent times. It has also made significant progress in education, health, transport, electricity and communication sectors. The rural municipality has generated electricity at a cost of Rs 140 million with the help of a distance organization under the ‘Ujjyalo Himali’ campaign. Which is currently in operation.
Chairperson of the rural municipality, Govinda Bahadur Malla, said that the dream of the locals of the village who have been spending the nights in darkness with the help of tornadoes and waterfalls is gradually being materialized. Malla said that all settlements except two to four settlements in the rural municipality have access to electricity. Most of the settlements here were in darkness for the past seven months.
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