May 10,2026
𝗠𝗼𝗘𝗡𝗥 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗵𝘂.
Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Hon’ble Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan (MoENR), visited Dagachhu hydropower plant on May 9 to review restoration and rectification works at the dam, head race channel (HRC) and access roads that had been severely damaged by the unprecedented 5 October 2025 floods.During the visit, Lyonpo inspected the dam, HRC, and related works. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the emergency restoration works that had been started immediately following the floods. Lyonpo commended the efforts of the engineers, contractors, and employees engaged in the restoration works.The main restoration works involved the stabilization measures from the river bed level to the water conductor system in the reach of the HRC, and the replacement of the concrete HRC with an adjustable head race steel pipeline. Yoezer Engineers carried out slope stabilization measures, river training works, and the road restoration works. Vajra Builders constructed the reinforced concrete saddles for the adjustable head race steel pipes. Most importantly, the design, engineering and placement of the head race steel pipes was undertaken by Bhutan Hydropower Services Limited. DGPC provided supervision and engineering support through the O&MSC. Bernard Engineers of Austria provided key design and engineering support. Everyone worked round the clock to ensure that the restoration works were completed at the earliest.On completion of the key stabilization works and installation of head race steel pipes, the cleaning and flushing works were initiated on May 9 during the visit of Lyonpo Gem Tshering. The refilling of the water conductor system was started on May 10. The Dagachhu power plant is scheduled to be put back into operation by May 15.

May 16, 2026
𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐡𝐮 𝐇𝐄𝐏 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

After remaining non-operational for more than seven months following severe monsoon flooding, the Dagachhu Hydropower Plant (DHP) is now preparing to resume operations, with the refilling of its water conductor system scheduled to begin on May 9.The update was shared by Karma Penjor Dorji, Director General (DG) of Department of Energy (DoE) during the 23rd Meet the Press session, where he detailed the scale of the damage caused by the unprecedented flooding and the restoration efforts undertaken over the past several months.

April 18, 2026
Restoration work at Dagachhu Hydropower crosses halfway mark after October flood.
The restoration of the hydropower project damaged by the 5th October flood has made significant progress, with 160 meters of the total 261 meters of the Water Conductor System (WCS) already completed, and works on track for completion by the end of April.Officials at the site said, “Restoration work is in full swing with 160 meters of penstock pipe laid out of a total length of approximately 261 meters. Despite disruptions caused by rainfall in March, which halted work for about a week due to muddy road conditions preventing tippers carrying ferrules from crossing the bypass road, the overall timeline remains unaffected.”The plant has remained out of operation since 9th October 2025, after heavy monsoon rains triggered flooding that damaged several key components of the project.The floods severely impacted the Water Conductor System, particularly the Head Race Channel (HRC) connecting the desilter to the Head Race Tunnel, where the channel’s foundation was completely washed away. The damaged HRC is now being replaced with a steel penstock, with the contract awarded to M/s BHSL, Jigmeling. The first batch of steel penstock is expected to arrive by mid-February 2026.In addition to the WCS restoration, slope stabilisation and protection works are also underway. Reinstatement of the downhill slope using a boulder barrier and compacted backfill has been completed.At the 220 kV Pothead Yard, the slope was completely eroded during the flood, although its foundation remains intact. Restoration works at the site are ongoing.Damage was also reported at the dam site last year, where the downstream gantry crane and tuff boom were swept away by the flood. Replacement works for these components are currently underway. Additionally, the cut-off wing wall at the dam and a portion of the fish ladder were damaged and will be restored after the completion of the Water Conductor System repairs.