{"id":1032,"date":"2026-11-10T08:04:46","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T08:04:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/?p=1032"},"modified":"2026-11-10T08:04:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T08:04:46","slug":"what-really-happened-at-tarbela-dam-pm-shehbaz-sharif-orders-detailed-report-after-tunnel-incident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/2026\/11\/10\/1032","title":{"rendered":"What Really Happened at Tarbela Dam? PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Detailed Report After Tunnel Incident"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of an incident at the Tarbela Dam Fifth Extension Hydropower Project, where a weakened section of rock collapsed during tunnel excavation work. The prime minister has reportedly directed the relevant authorities to submit a detailed report explaining the causes, circumstances and possible damage resulting from the incident.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to media reports, the incident occurred during excavation work on the second bench of a connecting tunnel at the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A weakened section of rock suddenly collapsed, allowing water from the intake pit to enter the tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the incident, officials from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) began assessing the situation to determine the extent of the damage and the measures required to ensure safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prime Minister Seeks Complete Details of the Incident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant departments to prepare a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The report is expected to explain what caused the rock section to collapse, the circumstances surrounding the incident and the steps taken by authorities afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Officials have also been asked to provide information regarding any damage to the hydropower project and whether negligence or other factors contributed to the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings will help authorities determine whether further investigations or administrative action are necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WAPDA Officials to Inspect the Affected Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Ministry of Water Resources, senior WAPDA officials are scheduled to visit the affected section of the Tarbela hydropower project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The inspection team will examine the location where the rock collapsed and assess the condition of the connecting tunnel and related infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ministry officials said a decision regarding a formal inquiry would be made after the site inspection and preliminary assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future course of action will also depend on the findings of WAPDA&#8217;s technical review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, a WAPDA spokesperson confirmed that water had entered the tunnel and powerhouse following the collapse of the weakened rock section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the spokesperson said that water had been completely removed from the intake pit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Indus River Water Flow Expected to Increase<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separately, authorities have issued precautionary instructions as additional water is expected to be released from Tarbela Dam into the Indus River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), water discharge from the dam could remain above 150,000 cusecs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tarbela Dam officials indicated that the increased discharge may continue for approximately 24 hours, potentially raising water levels downstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PDMA has directed the administrations of relevant districts to implement precautionary measures and remain prepared for changing river conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Officials are monitoring the situation to ensure that communities living near the Indus River receive timely safety information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Public Advised to Stay Away From the River<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary visits to the banks of the Indus River while water discharge remains high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People have also been advised not to swim, bathe or engage in boating activities in the river during this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parents have been specifically requested to prevent children from approaching rivers, streams and other areas where water may be flowing rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These precautionary measures are intended to reduce the risk of accidents as the river&#8217;s flow increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Caused the Tunnel Incident?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although WAPDA has confirmed that a weakened rock section collapsed during excavation, the exact circumstances behind the incident have not yet been fully established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The planned inspection will help determine whether geological conditions, construction-related factors or other technical issues contributed to the collapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Authorities are also expected to assess whether the incident has affected the project&#8217;s construction schedule or requires additional safety measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, the government&#8217;s focus remains on identifying the cause of the incident, assessing potential damage and ensuring the safety of nearby communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The detailed report requested by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to provide a clearer understanding of what happened at the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project and whether any further action is required.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of an incident at the Tarbela Dam Fifth Extension Hydropower Project, where a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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