HARIPUR: A section of the tunnel under construction at the Tarbela Dam Fifth Extension Project suddenly collapsed, injuring one worker.
Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed said work on the project was halted immediately after the collapse. An emergency was declared at the site and safety measures were put in place.
According to WAPDA, a weak portion of rock fell during excavation of the second bench of the connecting tunnel, causing water from the intake pit to enter the tunnel and the powerhouse.
WAPDA said all workers were safely evacuated right away. Water has been completely drained from the intake pit, and dewatering of the under-construction powerhouse has also begun.
The authority said no more water is entering the downstream work sites. Senior WAPDA officials, consultants and the contractor are reviewing the situation.
It termed circulating reports of the collapse of Tarbela’s Tunnel No. 5 as false.
WAPDA added that the project’s main tunnel, the under-construction powerhouse, the tailrace culvert and the switchyard suffered no damage.
All workers are safe and there has been no loss of life.