NAMCHE SMALL HYDROPOWER PROJECT (930KW)

On 16 August 2024, a catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) occurred following the sudden failure of two lakes within the Thyanbo glacial system. The resulting high‐magnitude flood caused extensive damage to infrastructure, settlements, and river corridors in the Thame–Namche region. In response to this disaster, Hydro Tunnelling and Research Pvt. Ltd. (HTR) has been engaged to carry out comprehensive rehabilitation and restoration works to stabilise the affected areas and restore critical infrastructure.

Major features:

Design Discharge 0.54m3/sec, Gross head 205m, Plant Capacity 930KW

Following the August 2024 GLOF event, the Thame Khola Small Hydropower Plant confirms that the project has sustained significant hydraulic, structural, and geotechnical impacts, particularly in the intake, settling basin, forebay, and surrounding slopes. Although the plant was rapidly restored using temporary measures, these interventions were executed without detailed engineering assessment and are not adequate for the altered post-GLOF flow regime, increased sediment load, and morphological changes of the river. High-velocity inflow, severe sediment ingress, turbulence within the settling basin, operational inefficiency of the flushing system, leakage in the forebay, and progressive slope deformation—especially the extensive tension cracks—pose serious long-term risks to the safe and reliable operation of the plant.