Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Saeed has ordered a departmental inquiry into the tunnel accident at Tarbela's fifth extension project. The chairman visited the site to review the situation and chaired a meeting at the project office.
Consultants, the contractor, and Wapda teams briefed the meeting that there is no threat to the integrity of the main Tarbela Dam or any of its structures. The meeting held a detailed discussion on the possible causes of the incident, finalized immediate response measures, and considered strategies for dealing with the current issue.
The chairman also toured the project's intake structure, tunnel, powerhouse, and other key sites. He directed the teams to cover all aspects and submit a detailed report at the earliest.
The inspection was aimed at ensuring that safety protocols were being followed and that the structural stability of the ongoing construction remained uncompromised. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources said Wapda had been asked to submit a comprehensive report on the matter.
According to sources, the inquiry will be completed within a week and will include experts from outside Wapda to ensure transparency and technical accuracy. Responsibility will be fixed, and the report will be submitted to the Prime Minister's Office.
A day earlier, water entered a tunnel and the powerhouse at the dam's 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5) construction site after a weak section of rock fell during excavation. Wapda confirmed that all workers were safely evacuated immediately following the breach.
The spokesperson stated that water had been completely drained from the intake pit, and dewatering of the under-construction powerhouse had begun to allow for a damage assessment. No further water is entering the work sites on the downstream side, and the situation is currently under control.
The project management is working round the clock to restore normal operations at the site while maintaining strict safety standards for all personnel involved in the recovery process. The Tarbela 5th Extension project is a critical component of Pakistan's energy infrastructure, designed to increase the country's hydropower capacity.
The government has emphasized that despite this setback, the project remains a priority for national energy security. Technical teams are currently evaluating the geological stability of the affected tunnel section to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
The findings of the inquiry committee will be instrumental in refining the safety protocols for the remainder of the construction phase. The Ministry of Water Resources has reiterated its commitment to the safety of the workforce and the structural integrity of the dam, noting that the incident is being treated with the highest level of urgency and professional scrutiny.