Electricity service through the Kohalpur–Surkhet 132 kV transmission line, disrupted after a transmission tower collapsed during a windstorm, is expected to take at least two more weeks to return to normal.

The incident occurred on Baisakh 26 when a large Sal tree fell onto the transmission line near the Chisapani checkpoint in Baijanath Rural Municipality, Banke, damaging the tower. The area falls near a security post operated by the Nepal Army for national park protection.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), foundation construction for rebuilding the damaged tower was completed on Monday. The next phase includes erecting the tower and reconnecting the transmission wires, which officials say will require another two weeks.

Project Chief Ravi Kumar Chaudhary said the damage was caused by a nearly 38-meter-long Sal tree located outside the designated transmission line corridor. Although trees within nine meters on both sides of the line had already been cleared, several risky trees inside the national park remain untouched due to lack of permission.

Chaudhary warned that similar incidents could happen again if those trees are not removed. He added that more than 80 potentially dangerous trees have already been identified in the Chisapani area and the issue had been reported to higher authorities earlier.

With the main 132 kV line out of service, electricity is currently being supplied to Surkhet and other Karnali districts through the older Kohalpur–Surkhet and Lamki–Babai Chaur 33 kV lines. However, consumers have been facing frequent power cuts and low voltage issues, especially during the ongoing heatwave.

NEA Distribution Center Surkhet Chief Kiran Khanal said excessive load and low voltage have been causing technical problems in transformers and distribution lines, leading to repeated interruptions in electricity supply.

Following the incident, the NEA formed an investigation committee led by Grid Operation Chief Raman Raj Sharma. Although the team has already completed its field inspection and study, the investigation report has yet to be made public.