Biratnagar, May 20 -- Production in Biratnagar-eastern Nepal's industrial capital-has plunged by half as persistent power cuts cripple factory operations across the Morang-Sunsari Industrial Corridor.

Over the past two months, erratic and unannounced load-shedding has severely disrupted the region's industrial output. Business leaders say more than 350 small and large factories have been directly affected, forcing many to scale down or suspend production altogether.

"There isn't even a fixed schedule for the load-shedding," said Krishna Regmi, the Morang Chamber of Industry and Commerce office chief. "Electricity is being cut arbitrarily, and frequent tripping is damaging machines and raw materials."

Anupam Rathi, president of the cham...