No Threat to Main Tarbela Dam After Tunnel Accident
Wapda Chairman Orders Departmental Inquiry into Tarbela Fifth Extension Accident
The chairman issued the directives during a visit to the project site to assess the situation following the incident. He also chaired a meeting at the project office, where consultants, contractors and Wapda officials briefed him on the developments.
According to the briefing, there is no threat to the structural integrity of the main Tarbela Dam or any of its associated structures.
Participants reviewed the possible causes of the accident, precautionary arrangements and the strategy for managing the situation. They also finalised immediate response measures to address the issue.
During his visit, the Wapda chairman inspected the project’s intake structure, tunnel, powerhouse and other important locations. He directed the relevant teams to examine every aspect of the incident and submit a comprehensive report as soon as possible.
Ministry Seeks Detailed Report
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources said Wapda had been directed to submit a detailed report on the incident at Tarbela Dam.
Sources said the inquiry was expected to be completed within one week, with experts from outside Wapda also being included in the investigation. Responsibility for the incident would be determined, and the findings would be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The accident occurred a day earlier when water entered a tunnel and the powerhouse at the construction site of the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project (T-5). The incident followed the collapse of a weak section of rock during excavation work.
Wapda confirmed that all workers at the site had been safely evacuated following the sudden inflow of water.
According to a Wapda spokesperson, the rockfall occurred during excavation of the second bench of the connecting tunnel. Water subsequently flowed from the intake pit into the tunnel and powerhouse, prompting the immediate evacuation of workers.
The spokesperson said water had been completely drained from the intake pit, while dewatering operations at the under-construction powerhouse had started. No further water was entering the downstream construction areas, the spokesperson added.
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