Authorities have issued precautionary alerts in parts of Attock and Haripur as additional water is expected to be released from Tarbela Dam into the Indus River, potentially increasing river flows over the next 24 hours. Residents living near the river have been advised to take safety precautions and move their livestock to safer locations.
According to reports, additional water may be released from Tarbela Dam on Tuesday night, November 10, raising concerns about a further increase in water levels downstream.
District administrations in Attock and Haripur have been placed on alert to ensure that precautionary measures are taken in areas close to the Indus River.
In Attock district, authorities have particularly warned residents of villages in the Chhachh region, located near the river, to remain cautious.
Similar alerts have been issued for several areas of Hazro tehsil, where residents have been instructed to move their livestock away from vulnerable locations.
The local administration in Hazro has also arranged announcements through mosques to inform communities about the situation and encourage them to follow official safety instructions.
Earlier, a notification was issued regarding the release of approximately 150,000 cusecs of water from Tarbela Dam into the Indus River.
According to the irrigation adviser, the water flow at the Hund monitoring point was recorded at 133,737 cusecs.
Authorities are also working to lower the water level at Tarbela Dam to approximately 1,490 feet. The process was expected to be completed by noon, according to the reported schedule.
What Happened at the Tarbela Hydropower Expansion Project?
The precautionary measures come amid reports of an incident at the Tarbela Dam hydropower expansion project.
During excavation work on a connecting tunnel, a weakened section of rock reportedly collapsed, allowing water to enter the tunnel and an under-construction powerhouse.
Following the incident, emergency safety measures were taken to protect workers and prevent further damage to the project.
A spokesperson for the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) confirmed that water had been completely removed from the intake pit.
The spokesperson also clarified that the project’s main tunnel, under-construction powerhouse, and switchyard had not suffered damage.
All Pakistani and foreign workers present at the construction site were safely evacuated, according to WAPDA.
The authority also rejected reports suggesting that Tunnel Number Five at Tarbela Dam had completely collapsed, describing such claims as incorrect.
However, sources indicated that construction activities at the hydropower expansion project were temporarily suspended following the incident.
What Should Residents Near the Indus River Do?
Local authorities have urged communities living near the Indus River to remain alert and follow official announcements regarding changing water conditions.
Residents have been advised to avoid approaching the river unnecessarily and move livestock and other valuable belongings to safer areas where required.
The expected increase in river flow has raised concerns among communities living in low-lying areas, although the reported alerts are precautionary and do not, by themselves, confirm widespread flooding.
Officials are expected to continue monitoring water levels and river flows to determine whether additional protective measures are necessary.
For now, attention remains focused on the controlled release of water from Tarbela Dam, the safety of nearby communities, and the situation at the hydropower expansion project.
The coming hours will be important in determining how the increased flow affects downstream areas and whether further warnings are required.