Radio Sindhu goes off air as lightning damages equipment

KATHMANDU: An FM radio station in Sindhupalchowk has gone off air after lightning damaged its equipment.

According to Dhruba Dangal, president of the Sindhpalchowk chapter of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Radio Sindhu 105 MHz in district headquarters Chautara has ceased operations after it lightning strikes damaged its equipment on Sunday and Tuesday.

“All major equipment, including the tower, transmitter, computers, telephone sets, dual-line telephone system, hybrid line and UPS devices, have been damaged. The lightning strikes caused the FM station an estimated loss of Rs 2.5 million,” Dangal added.

The FNJ Sindhupalchwok has appealed to the federal and provincial governments, all 12 local governments in the district, donor agencies, listeners, and all concerned stakeholders to provide immediate financial, technical and equipment support to resume the station’s operations.