India to supply 654 megawatts of electricity to Nepal following floods

India will provide Nepal with 654 megawatts of electricity daily to address urgent needs after significant damage to hydropower infrastructure caused by floods. The Indian Ministry of Power announced on Monday that electricity will be transmitted for 18 hours per day until December 31. The ministry stated that this approval will assist Nepal in meeting its power requirements during this challenging period and will enhance the energy cooperation between the two countries. A review of the power export amount will take place in December for the following month. The floods, which occurred on August 26 due to a glacial mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border, resulted in over 1,400 fatalities in Nepal and Tibet. At least 12 hydropower projects in Nepal were affected, with around 900 power station workers among the more than 5,500 individuals still unaccounted for. Prior to the floods, nearly 100 percent of Nepal's energy needs were met by hydropower, but the country has since had to import electricity after previously exporting surplus energy to India. Thousands of displaced individuals are currently residing in aid centers, facing uncertainty about returning home. The United Nations and its partners are seeking nearly $50 million to assist survivors. Nepali officials estimate that at least $5 billion is required for initial rebuilding efforts, highlighting the impact of climate change on poorer nations that contributed minimally to its causes. A recent study indicates that the Himalayas, where Nepal is located, are nearing a tipping point as glaciers melt more rapidly than a decade ago, posing threats to water security as the region approaches 'peak water' by mid-century.