Pakistan investigates rock collapse at Tarbela project, says main dam faces no threat

Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has launched an investigation into a rock collapse at the under-construction Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project.

WAPDA says the incident has not threatened the main dam or other major structures.

What happened in the Tarbela rock collapse?

The collapse took place on Monday at a construction site inside Tunnel No. 5, near the project’s intake structure. Authorities declared an emergency and suspended construction work. Workers were moved to safer locations, and no casualties were reported.

Is the main Tarbela Dam at risk?

WAPDA says no. Assessments by project consultants, contractors and its management team found no threat to the main Tarbela Dam or other major infrastructure.

What is WAPDA doing after the collapse?

WAPDA Chairman Lt. Gen. (retd.) Muhammad Saeed visited the project on November 9 and 10 to assess the situation and review the response. He inspected the intake structure, tunnel, powerhouse and other key construction areas. Consultants, contractors and officials briefed him on the incident and the safety measures taken since.

During a meeting at the site, officials examined possible causes and discussed immediate and longer-term measures to address the damage. WAPDA said remedial work had been finalised and implementation was already under way.

Saeed directed consultants to prepare a comprehensive report on the incident. He told the project team to speed up repairs and develop an emergency response plan to limit potential delays to completion. He also ordered an internal departmental inquiry into the circumstances behind the collapse.

What has the government said about the Tarbela incident?

The Ministry of Water Resources sought an initial assessment from WAPDA, which was submitted on Tuesday. Federal Water Resources Minister Mian Muhammad Moeen Wattoo is monitoring the situation and has received a briefing from the WAPDA chairman.

What is the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project?

The 1,530-megawatt project is being built at Tarbela Dam in northwestern Pakistan. It uses the dam’s fifth tunnel to expand the country’s hydropower generation capacity.

The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are financing it.