HARIPUR (Kashmir English): Water entered the construction area of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project on Monday after a weak rock mass collapsed during excavation work, prompting the evacuation of workers and a temporary suspension of construction activities.
According to an official WAPDA update issued on November 9, 2026, the incident occurred during excavation of the second bench of the connecting tunnel, allowing water from the Intake Pit to enter the tunnel and under-construction powerhouse area.
WAPDA confirmed that all workers were safely evacuated following the incident, with no injuries or loss of life reported.
The authority said water from the Intake Pit had been completely drained and no further water was entering the downstream work sites. Dewatering operations at the under-construction powerhouse had also begun.
Senior WAPDA officials, along with the project engineer and contractor, are assessing the situation to determine the next steps and address any challenges to the project.
WAPDA also rejected reports circulating about the collapse of the T-5 tunnel, clarifying that the main tunnel, under-construction powerhouse, tailrace culvert and switchyard had sustained no damage.
The Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project is a major WAPDA initiative designed to add 1,530 megawatts of electricity generation capacity through three units of 510MW each. Once completed, it is expected to increase Tarbela Dam’s installed generation capacity from 4,888MW to 6,418MW.
The project has faced repeated delays, with its completion deadline extended to September 2027. The latest incident is expected to require a technical assessment before work can proceed.
