Dear friends,
The power outages are still at 16 hrs/day (4hrs am, 4hrs pm on a rotating schedule). The power lines destroyed earlier this year in monsoon flooding crippled Nepal from buying supplementary electricity from neighboring countries during the corresponding dry season. Therefore, this year’s power outages in this hydroelectric dependent country are unprecedented. I’d experienced limited power outages in Louisiana after hurricanes, but this is months of sustained power outages that significantly affect a developing world economy. At least, no electricity is needed to grow rice and vegetables (mainly done by hand here anyway – it took months before I sighted a tractor). No one I talk to remembers it ever being more than 8-10hr/day outages at this time of year. To make matters worse, the main generator and smaller backup generator for Anandaban have been broken for weeks. Imagine trying to run a hospital with surgery, emergency care, 115 beds, xray, computers and lab tests. It’s been challenging. We’d initially hoped that the electrical authorities would grant the hospital additional hours; however, after weeks of promises and negotiations, the plan fell through. No extra electricity will be forthcoming. We had sent our electrician to India to get an emergency part for the main generator. He could find none; and while trying to return, got delayed for days in southern Nepal due to road blocks and protests. A second man was sent to India by plane. He returned with a part. Everyone sighed with relief. The electrician returned Monday, installed the part and…found out that it did not work. Another person was dispatched to India yesterday in an attempt to get a functional part. The government is saying the power lines will be repaired soon. Everyone wants to believe.
Anyway, some friends from my previous workplace, The National Hansen’s Disease Programs Laboratory Research Branch in Baton Rouge, will be coming to visit me soon!! Hopefully, the power will be better when they come. They are packing to leave, and should be here March 5-11th. I have to plan an appropriate itinerary for them. Let’s see, meal planning is easy. Daal bhaat. Daal bhaat. Daal bhaat. Just joking. Maybe. J
By the way, this post is a test. Apparently, it is possible to blog by email. With the current power and internet situation, it is difficult to get online sometimes, much less navigate a series of pages over time and then upload materials. Email would be much simpler and straightforward. If this works, hopefully I will be able to post more often!! It may also take pics – so enjoy this scene out my back door. No zoom was used, and he seems only to respect slingshots. I need to practice!! Thank you (Dhanyabad) for your prayers.
