India approves supply of 654 MW of electricity to Nepal from September 13 to December 31. The decision comes as Nepal faces a power shortage after devastating flash floods damaged several hydropower facilities and disrupted electricity generation.

The Ministry of Power stated that the electricity would be supplied to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for 18 hours every day, from 0000 hours to 1800 hours. The additional supply will help Nepal manage the shortfall in domestic generation while it works to restore damaged hydropower infrastructure.

Under the approved arrangement, up to 600 MW of electricity will be exported through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV D/c transmission line. Another 54 MW will be supplied through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV S/c transmission line.

The Ministry said the approval is an immediate measure to support Nepal after the floods severely affected its hydropower infrastructure. The damage has reduced domestic power generation and created an additional need for electricity.

"The quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 will be reviewed in December 2026," the Ministry of Power said in a release.

The Ministry said the additional electricity will support Nepal's power system as the country continues to restore damaged hydropower facilities. It also said the move will strengthen the longstanding energy cooperation between the two countries.

"The approval will help Nepal meet its power requirements during this difficult period and further strengthen the close and longstanding energy cooperation between India and Nepal," the Ministry said.

The decision comes amid widespread destruction caused by floods and landslides across Nepal. The disaster has damaged critical infrastructure and disrupted essential services in several parts of the country.

India has also expanded its humanitarian assistance to Nepal as rescue and relief operations continue. According to the latest Search, Rescue and Relief update issued by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on September 11, the death toll had reached 1,385. Another 5,130 people remained missing.

An eighth Indian Air Force flight carrying relief material and humanitarian assistance recently reached Kathmandu. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier said India expedited the delivery of relief supplies, specialised equipment and expert personnel to Nepal through eight special flights since August 26.

In a statement issued on September 9, the MEA said that over 130 tonnes of relief materials have been sent to Nepal as part of the assistance. India has continued its support for rescue, relief and forensic operations as Nepal deals with heavy human and infrastructure losses.