Water enters Tarbela T-5 power house area after rock collapse

A rock collapse during excavation work at the Tarbela Dam 5th Extension Project (T-5) on Monday allowed water to enter parts of the under-construction power house and a tunnel, prompting an emergency evacuation of workers, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) said.

No injuries or deaths were reported. Construction activities were suspended and workers were moved to safer locations after water from the Intake Pit entered the work areas.

According to Wapda, the incident occurred during excavation of the 2nd Bench Connecting Tunnel, when a weak rock mass gave way. The authority said the water from the Intake Pit had since been completely drained and was no longer flowing into downstream work sites. Dewatering work had also begun at the under-construction power house.

Senior Wapda officials, the project engineer and the contractor were assessing the site and considering measures to address any impact on the project.

Wapda rejected reports that the T-5 tunnel had collapsed, saying the main tunnel, power house, tailrace culvert and switchyard remained undamaged.

Separately, a senior district administration official said there was currently no threat of flooding in areas downstream of Tarbela Dam.

Swabi Deputy Commissioner Nasarullah Khan, however, said additional water had been released from the dam for unavoidable reasons and could raise the flow and water level in the Indus River.

He urged residents to avoid bathing, swimming and boating in the river, and to follow official safety advisories rather than rumours.