Three districts of Rolpa, Pyuthan and Arghakhanchi have been in darkness for 5 days after a technical fault occurred in the main power transformer of the Jhimruk Hydropower Center located in Darichour, Mandavi Rural Municipality-3. The electricity authority distribution centers have temporarily connected the line, but the public has been affected as it was not continuous.

The problem occurred on the night of Jestha 10 in the 12-megawatt capacity transformer of the center, which is fully owned by Butwal Power Company Limited (BPC). After the transformer malfunctioned, electricity service has been suspended in most areas of Pyuthan, Rolpa and Arghakhanchi for 5 days.

The power outage has badly affected government offices, banks and financial institutions, communication towers and drinking water lifting systems in those districts. In addition, the daily life of local residents has become difficult, while industries and commercial establishments have been forced to close.

Nepal Electricity Authority and local administration have made alternative arrangements to avert the crisis caused by the lack of electricity for about a week, but they are not sufficient and stable. Technicians have diverted electricity from the alternative central transmission line in Arghakhanchi and Bhaluwang areas and connected emergency lines to some areas of Rolpa's district headquarters Liwang and Pyuthan. The line was operational only on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Ishwar Bista, head of the Rolpa-based authority office, said that alternative arrangements have been made until the problem is resolved.

The system has not been able to cope with the low capacity of the alternative line and the high demand (load) of electricity in Rolpa-Pyuthan. Due to the imbalance between demand and supply, consumers have been suffering from the problem of tripping and intermittent power supply. According to technicians, since it is not possible to provide electricity to all areas at once, electricity is being distributed through feeder rotation. The lights have been going out due to the inability to handle the load, especially during the morning and evening peak hours (times of high consumption).

After three districts were left without communication and electricity, the attention of the Federal Parliament, Lumbini Provincial Assembly and the Chief Minister's Office has been drawn to this matter. Local people's representatives and party leaders have demanded that the government provide immediate relief to the citizens and organize alternative lines. According to the Butwal Power Company (BPC), since the damaged 15 MVA transformer is a very large and complex device, it may take a few days or weeks for its on-site repair or replacement.