Assessment of Impacts of Debris Flow on
Melamchi Water Supply Project
Student: Bidur Kandel
Supervisor: Dr. Dinesh Sukamani
Submitted Date:
February, 2024
Abstract
For a country such as Nepal, with the disadvantage of having such a challenging
topography and recurring Natural Hazards, the much-needed improvement in the
quality and quantity of infrastructure has not been seen to improve as required. The
effects of natural hazards can be observed in terms of design as well as the post-
construction phase. Much money as well as time has to be allocated to tackling and
minimizing (if not preventing) the effects of such hazards. The longevity and efficiency
of infrastructure can be said to improve the socioeconomic development of a nation.
However, regular disruptions to infrastructure construction and operation have been
seen as damaging the progress of society and the nation. These disruptions not only
bring immediate effects of losses, such as financial and physical losses, but also long-
term losses such as socio-economic impacts and loss of chances to improve the
condition of living in the near future, as planned.
On June 15, 2021, a devastating flood event occurred in the Melamchi River of the
Indrawati River Basin in central Nepal. The flood displaced 525 families, resulted in
337 household damages, killed five and injured six people, and left 20 people
unaccounted. The flood damaged 13-foot trail bridges, seven reinforced concrete
bridges, a hydropower project, and the headwork of the Melamchi Water Supply
Project, leading to enormous economic loss, which is not collectively estimated yet.
The main objective of the study was to quantify water supply trends, revenue loss,
management challenges, and potential remedial measures in the Melamchi water supply
project. Data analysis was conducted using LSTM model, RII, and Spearman’s
correlation. Out of the 60 respondents, 51 provided complete responses, accounting for
85% of the total. Reliability and validity assessments of the questionnaire were carried
out prior to data analysis.
vi
This study explored how debris flow impacted the Melamchi Water Supply Project
using a thorough mixed-methods approach. Research findings showed that predicting
water levels during downtime was highly accurate, with just a 2.2 % average deviation,
proving effectiveness discharge prediction and estimating revenue. Through trend
analysis, we discovered a significant loss of 83,064.76 million litres over 503 days due
to debris flow, highlighting the urgent need for effective mitigation measures. This
debris flow resulted in a substantial revenue loss of NRs. 830,647,600 for KUKL,
emphasizing the importance of comprehensive strategies to mitigate losses and ensure
the long-term sustainability of water supply projects. After the 2021 debris flow,
managing the project faced significant challenges, underscoring the critical role of the
client-consultant-contractor relationship. Our analysis of preventive measures
prioritized "Hazard mapping and zoning," closely followed by "Warning
signal/Automatic gate system/Alternative channel" and "Check Dam." The study's
approach integrated water supply trend analysis, revenue loss calculation, identification
of management challenges, and evaluation of preventive measures, offering practical
insights to enhance project resilience and ensure future success.
Keywords
Trend Analysis, Revenue Loss, Melamchi Water Supply Project, Debris
Flow, Melamchi flood, Long-Short Term Memory