Pakistan Tarbela Dam T-5 Incident: Rock Collapse Floods Construction Areas, Workers Evacuated

Pakistan, November 9, 2026: Construction work at Pakistan's Tarbela Dam Fifth Extension Hydropower Project (T-5) was suspended on Monday after a weak rock mass collapsed during excavation, allowing water to enter a connecting tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse. The incident occurred at the project site in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Workers were evacuated safely, and no deaths or injuries were reported, according to the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

Water enters tunnel during excavation: WAPDA said the incident occurred during excavation of the second bench connecting tunnel. The collapse of a weak rock mass allowed water from the intake pit to flow into the tunnel and powerhouse construction area. An emergency was declared, construction activities were suspended and workers were moved to safer locations. Reports also indicated that one Pakistani worker was swept away by the water but was rescued unharmed.

WAPDA rejects reports of main tunnel collapse: The authority clarified that the incident did not involve the collapse of the main T-5 tunnel. According to WAPDA, the main tunnel, under-construction powerhouse, tailrace culvert and switchyard had not sustained damage. The authority also confirmed that all workers had been evacuated and that no injuries or loss of life had occurred.

Water removal and safety assessment underway: WAPDA said water had been completely drained from the intake pit and no further inflow was reaching downstream construction areas. Dewatering operations had also begun at the powerhouse. Senior WAPDA officials, the project engineer and the contractor were assessing the situation. Officials also initiated an inquiry into the incident, while construction work remained suspended.

Authorities issue river safety advisory: A senior district administration official said there was no immediate threat of flooding in areas downstream of Tarbela. However, Swabi Deputy Commissioner Nasarullah Khan warned that additional water released from the dam could increase the level and flow of the Indus River. Residents were advised to avoid swimming, bathing and boating in the river and to follow official safety notices.

Previous setbacks at the 1,530MW project: The Tarbela Fifth Extension Project is designed to add 1,530 megawatts of generating capacity, increasing Tarbela's total installed capacity from 4,888MW to 6,418MW. The project has already faced delays and rising costs following an earlier cofferdam collapse. A government inquiry held the contractor, consultant and WAPDA responsible for that incident, identifying unauthorised design changes among the contributing factors. According to Dawn, the project's cost increased from Rs82 billion to Rs317 billion, while its completion schedule had shifted to June 2028 before the latest incident. The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing $390 million and $300 million respectively towards the project.