The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a mandamus order to immediately halt the physical infrastructure of the under-construction Mistri Khola-2 Hydroelectric Project in Myagdi district.

The order, delivered by a division bench of justices Kumar Regmi and Mahesh Sharma Poudel on Sunday, cited potential irreparable damage to Tatopani kunda, a hot water spring.

The court had previously scrapped the preliminary environmental impact assessment which had expressed concerns that the hydroelectric project would have a direct and adverse impact on the source of the hot water spring.

The case was brought before the Supreme Court by eighteen local individuals. The petition highlighted the potential drying up of the hot water spring and raised serious environmental concerns.