HARIPUR:All workers were safely evacuated after a rockfall triggered water inflow into a tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5), the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) confirmed on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a Wapda spokesperson, the incident occurred during excavation work on the second bench of the connecting tunnel when a weak section of rock collapsed. The collapse allowed water to flow from the intake pit into the tunnel and powerhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spokesperson said emergency evacuation measures were immediately implemented, ensuring the safe evacuation of all workers at the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wapda further stated that water had been completely drained from the intake pit, while dewatering operations at the under-construction powerhouse were underway. No additional water was entering the downstream construction areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, senior Wapda officials, project consultants and the contractor were assessing the situation to determine the extent of the incident and address any challenges affecting the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The spokesperson also rejected reports claiming that Tunnel 5 had collapsed, clarifying that the main tunnel, under-construction powerhouse, tailrace culvert and switchyard had not sustained any damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, the Deputy Commissioner of Haripur said that a section of the protective embankment at the T-5 project intake had broken following the fall of a girder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deputy commissioner confirmed that both Pakistani and foreign workers had been evacuated safely. He also said that a local worker who had become submerged in the tunnel was rescued by nearby residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources indicated that construction activities at the Tarbela T-5 project in Haripur had been suspended indefinitely following the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a separate development, Wapda issued a notification concerning water releases downstream of Tarbela Dam into the Indus River. According to the notification, the discharge would remain above 150,000 cusecs around the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The authority urged all relevant departments and concerned individuals to take necessary precautionary measures to ensure public safety in view of the increased downstream water discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HARIPUR:All workers were safely evacuated after a rockfall triggered water inflow into a tunnel and the under-construction powerhouse at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5), the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) confirmed on Monday. According to a Wapda spokesperson, the incident occurred during excavation work on the second bench of the connecting tunnel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2841,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[79,81,80],"class_list":["post-2835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest","category-pakistan","tag-pakistan","tag-tarbela-powerhouse","tag-wapda"],"yoast_head":"\n