Flood victims in Nepal still receive electricity bills with penalties

The catastrophic Bhotekoshi flood on August 26 devastated the river corridor in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, wiping out homes, farms and businesses and displacing thousands. In the aftermath, many flood-displaced households have continued to receive electricity invoices from the state-run Nepal Electricity Authority, complete with VAT and penalty fees. Residents such as Rabindra Nepal and Krishna Prasad Paudel have posted on social media that even after their houses were swept away, the utility refused to accept ward-office recommendation letters for meter disconnection, demanding police reports instead.

NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal said the system likely issued the bills automatically and that a decision has been made to stop billing those affected. The flood caused 1,453 deaths, left 5,285 missing and damaged or destroyed over 7,500 houses, some of which had their meters lost in the waters.