India has approved the export of up to 600 MW of electricity to Nepal for 18 hours a day until 31 December 2026, following devastating flash floods that severely damaged the Himalayan nation's hydropower infrastructure and sharply reduced its domestic power generation capacity. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Power on Monday, 14 September 2026, is aimed at helping Nepal meet its electricity needs during what officials described as a 'difficult period.'

Transmission Lines and Power Quantum

Under the approved plan, up to 600 MW of power will be exported through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV D/C line, while an additional 54 MW will flow through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV S/C line. The Nepal Electricity Authority is the designated recipient of the supply. According to the official statement, the quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 onwards will be reviewed in December 2026.

Cause: Flash Floods Cripple Nepal's Power Grid

The approval comes in direct response to flash floods triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on 26 August 2026, which devastated towns and villages across northern and central Nepal. The floods caused significant damage to hydropower infrastructure, creating an acute shortfall in domestic electricity generation. The death toll from the disaster has climbed to 1,386, with bodies recovered from eight affected districts. Around 5,130 people are still reported missing, according to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. More than 13,700 people have been rescued so far, while 339 remain hospitalised.

India's Broader Humanitarian Response

New Delhi has moved on multiple fronts beyond the power supply decision. Indian Air Force aircraft were deployed to ferry relief and rescue supplies to Kathmandu. India also dispatched specialised technical equipment — including mud rescue suits, gas detectors, breathing apparatus, inflatable walkways, portable generators, lighting towers, and dewatering pumps — to support on-ground operations. Additionally, India provided DNA kits, reagents, and profiling equipment to assist in the identification of victims. As of the latest update, 104 of the recovered bodies have been identified and handed over to families.

Bilateral Energy Cooperation in Focus

India and Nepal share a longstanding energy partnership, with cross-border transmission infrastructure playing a central role. This emergency approval builds on that framework, with officials framing it explicitly as an extension of bilateral cooperation rather than a one-off measure. 'India remains committed to supporting Nepal and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector,' the official statement noted. Notably, this is not the first time India has extended emergency energy support to its northern neighbour — past instances during power crises have consistently reinforced the two countries' energy interdependence.

What Happens Next

The 18-hour-a-day supply arrangement will run through the end of December 2026, at which point both governments will reassess Nepal's domestic generation capacity and recalibrate the export quantum for January 2027 and beyond. The pace of Nepal's hydropower infrastructure repair and the trajectory of the monsoon season will likely determine how quickly the country can reduce its dependence on Indian power imports.