Engineers Work Round the Clock to Repair Tarbela Dam Crater

HARIPUR: Civil work is in full swing to plug a crater caused by the collapse of a weak rock mass at the Tarbela Dam 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5). Engineers and project workers are laboring around the clock to ensure the project remains on schedule following the incident that occurred on Monday morning.

According to an official handout, the collapse happened during excavation of the 2nd Bench Connecting Tunnel, allowing water from the intake pit to flood the tunnel and the powerhouse area. Fortunately, all workers engaged in routine activities were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.

Officials from the Haripur district administration confirmed that water from the intake pit has been completely drained, and no further water is entering downstream work sites. Dewatering of the under-construction powerhouse has commenced, and the collapse did not cause damage to the main tunnel, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, or switchyard.

Looking ahead, project officials are focused on expediting repairs to minimize delays. The swift response and ongoing efforts are crucial for maintaining the timeline of the T-5 project, which is vital for enhancing Pakistan’s energy capacity.