LAHORE MIRROR — Workers evacuated safely after water entered Tunnel 5 and the under-construction powerhouse, while WAPDA denied reports of tunnel collapse.
A section of weakened rock collapsed during excavation of the second bench of the connecting tunnel at the Tarbela Dam Extension Hydropower Project, allowing water from the intake pit to enter Tunnel 5 and the under-construction powerhouse.
According to the Haripur Deputy Commissioner, a section of the T5 project’s cofferdam gave way, causing water to enter Tunnel 5. All foreign and Pakistani workers engaged in the T5 project were safely evacuated.
WAPDA, however, rejected reports that Tunnel 5 at Tarbela Dam had collapsed. Work on the extension hydropower project was suspended following the incident, according to sources.
A WAPDA spokesperson said water had been completely drained from the intake pit, while efforts to remove water from the under-construction powerhouse were under way.
WAPDA has confirmed that all workers were safely evacuated following a water inflow incident during excavation work at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project
@MoWP15 @wapda_pr #TarbelaDam #News #RadioPakistan
https://t.co/QzGNOVUNK3 https://t.co/m1gSH38to9— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) November 9, 2026
The spokesperson added that the project’s main tunnel, under-construction powerhouse, tailrace culvert and switchyard had sustained no damage.
Senior WAPDA officials, consultants and contractors are assessing the situation, the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the district administration issued an alert over the possibility of increased water flow in the River Indus.
The Haripur Deputy Commissioner said the river’s flow was expected to rise over the next two to three days, urging people living along its banks to take precautionary measures and immediately move their livestock to safer locations.
