July 26: The powerhouse of the Tala Hydropower Plant remains cut off from the rest of the plant. A massive landslide has eroded a part of the hill and blocked the way to the powerhouse.

The landslide occurred on July 11 about 20 kilometers from the Darla junction.

Officials said it has not affected the generation of power. They said the generation of power is rather at its highest with the volume of river having increased due to the monsoon.

The management said they foresaw the problem and event built a footpath in the event of a landslide washing away the road which would leave the power house cut off. However the landslide has also washed away the footpath. Officials said they did not expect a landslide of this scale.

Officials said they cannot compromise the production of power which is at its peak. Currently, Tala produces about 1122 MW of electricity generating about Nu. 45 million a day. They said measures have been put in place so that the production is not affected.

At the moment, staff working at the power house walk through the landslide area to the power house. They work 24 hour shifts. Usually they work eight hour shifts.

The management said they have already discussed providing incentives to staff working at the power house. They also said basic necessities like ration have been arranged for those working in the power house.

Officials said it was very difficult to say when the landslide can be cleared.

They said with Monsoon at its peak and continuous falling boulders the management will have to wait for the land to stabilize before they start clearing the landslide.