Water floods section of Pakistan's Tarbela hydropower project

Water flooded part of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project in Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Monday after a weak rock formation collapsed during excavation, officials said. Workers, including foreign nationals, were evacuated. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) reported no casualties.

What caused the flooding at the Tarbela hydropower project?

A weak rock formation gave way during excavation of the project's second bench connecting tunnel, according to WAPDA. The collapse allowed water from the intake pit to enter the tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse. Workers rushed out as water levels rose, creating a stampede-like situation, officials said.

What is the status of the site after the flooding?

WAPDA said water had been completely drained from the intake pit, with no further inflow reported at downstream work sites. Dewatering operations at the under-construction powerhouse have also begun. WAPDA officials, along with the project's engineer and contractor, were assessing the situation to determine the extent of the impact and identify any potential challenges.

WAPDA also dismissed reports that a tunnel had collapsed. It clarified that the main tunnel, under-construction powerhouse, tailrace culvert and switchyard had sustained no damage.

What did the Haripur administration say about the incident?

Haripur Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed said the district administration was investigating the incident. He attributed the water ingress to the failure of a protective embankment, which allowed water to enter the T-5 tunnel of Tarbela Dam.