BHARATPUR: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has begun scheduled power outages in eastern Chitwan starting today, enforcing six hours of daily load shedding due to a sharp rise in electricity demand.

The NEA’s Chanauli Distribution Center stated that the cuts are necessary as demand has surged—especially from irrigation systems during the scorching heat and lack of rainfall impacting the planting season.

The power cuts affect consumers connected through three major feeders: Narayani-Madi, Meghauli-Bijaynagar-Shukranagar, and Jagatpur-Rampur.

According to the NEA, the current 33 kV dog conductor line from the Bharatpur 132/33 kV substation is designed to carry only 300 amperes. However, the present demand has pushed the load to 450 amperes, far exceeding safe operational limits.

To ease the burden, a new 33 kV transmission line is under construction to reroute power from the Baseni substation. However, the project is still incomplete, making load shedding unavoidable in the meantime.

Load Shedding Schedule:

Narayani-Madi Feeders: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM & 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Meghauli-Bijaynagar-Shukranagar Feeders: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Jagatpur-Rampur Feeders: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM & 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM

NEA has urged residents and businesses in the affected areas to manage their electricity use accordingly, assuring that efforts are ongoing to complete infrastructure upgrades and restore uninterrupted power.