Tarbela, November 10,2026: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Saeed has ordered a departmental inquiry into the tunnel accident at the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project, directing officials to submit a detailed report at the earliest.
The chairman issued the directive during a visit to the project site to review the situation following the accident. He also chaired a meeting attended by consultants, contractors and Wapda officials, who briefed him on the incident and the response measures taken.
The meeting was informed that there was no threat to the structural integrity of the main Tarbela Dam or any of its structures.
Participants discussed the possible causes of the incident, precautionary measures and a strategy to deal with the situation. Immediate response measures were also finalised.
During his visit, the Wapda chairman inspected the project’s intake structure, tunnel, powerhouse and other key locations. He directed the relevant teams to examine all aspects of the incident and submit a comprehensive report.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources said Wapda had been asked to submit a comprehensive report on the Tarbela incident.
According to sources, the inquiry is expected to be completed within a week and will also include experts from outside Wapda. The sources said responsibility would be determined and the findings submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The incident occurred a day earlier when a section of weak rock fell during excavation work at the T-5 construction site, allowing water to enter a tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse.
In a statement, Wapda confirmed that all workers had been safely evacuated following the water inflow.
A Wapda spokesperson said the rockfall occurred during excavation of the second bench of the connecting tunnel at the Fifth Extension Project. 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 of the under-construction powerhouse had commenced. No further water was entering the downstream work sites, the spokesperson added.
