Wapda Says Tarbela Dam Safe After Rock Collapse
The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) said on Tuesday that the Tarbela Dam and its critical structures face no threat after a rock mass collapsed at the T-5 construction site on Monday. The authority said its chairman visited the site on Monday and Tuesday, and engineers have started repair work on the damaged parts of the project.
The collapse forced an emergency at the site. Construction work stopped, workers moved to safer areas, and no loss of life was reported. Water surged into nearby work areas, and work on the T-5 project has stayed suspended since Monday. Wapda issued its statement on Tuesday to calm fears about the dam.
What Wapda said about the Tarbela Dam
Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed visited the site on Monday and Tuesday to review the situation. He visited the intake structure, the tunnel, the powerhouse and other important sites of the project. The consultants, the contractor and the Wapda project team briefed him on the current situation and the steps taken so far.
The chairman then presided over a meeting at the site, where the possible causes were discussed in detail. Short, medium and long term preventive measures were discussed, immediate response measures were finalised, and work on them has started.
“However, the consultants, contractor and Wapda teams were unanimous in their assessment that, as of now, there is no threat to the integrity of main Tarbela dam or any of its critical structures,” the statement said.
The chairman directed the consultants to submit a detailed report at the earliest, carry out remedial measures at once, and finalise a contingency plan to limit any delay in the completion of the project. He also ordered a departmental inquiry to probe the incident.
Ministry seeks report as engineers start repairs
The Ministry for Water Resources had also sought an initial assessment report on the incident from Wapda. The authority said the report was submitted on Tuesday, and Water Resources Minister Mian Muhammad Mueen Watto was briefed by the Wapda chairman. Wapda engineers were busy the same day restoring and repairing the damaged parts of the project.
Swabi Deputy Commissioner Nasarullah Khan said the public had no reason to worry. “The public should know that the situation is completely under control,” he said, adding that he, the Haripur deputy commissioner and other officials were dealing with the situation under a coordinated strategy. He said the increase in the flows of the Indus River downstream had been authorised by Wapda’s technical team under safety and technical measures.
Why the Tarbela Dam statement matters
The statement is the first official word on the safety of the dam since the incident. It answers the main fear that followed Monday’s collapse: whether the main dam had been harmed. Wapda’s answer is clear. The main dam and its critical structures are safe for now.
The incident had already halted work on the T-5 project, the fifth extension of the hydropower project at the dam. Feature Pakistan reported on Monday that work had been suspended after a protective bund gave way and water flooded into Tunnel Five. All workers were moved to safety, and no casualties were reported.
What happens next at Tarbela
The consultants will now prepare the detailed report ordered by the chairman. Wapda will carry out the remedial measures and finalise the contingency plan for the project.
Work on the Tarbela T-5 project was suspended on Monday after a protective bund gave way and water flooded into Tunnel Five. Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tarbela earlier this year to review security at the site. Wapda has also awarded a contract for the Diamer-Basha dam project. The Centre spent more than Rs5 trillion on devolved subjects, a Senate panel was told on Tuesday.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at the Tarbela Dam on Monday?
A rock mass collapsed at the T-5 construction site on Monday, November 9, 2026. An emergency was declared, construction work was suspended, and workers were moved to safer areas. No loss of life was reported.
Is the Tarbela Dam safe?
Wapda said on Tuesday that, as of now, there is no threat to the integrity of the main Tarbela Dam or any of its critical structures. The consultants, the contractor and Wapda teams agreed on that assessment.
Who visited the site after the collapse?
Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed visited the site on Monday and Tuesday. He inspected the intake structure, the tunnel, the powerhouse and other important sites of the project.
What has Wapda ordered after the incident?
The chairman directed the consultants to submit a detailed report at the earliest. He also ordered immediate remedial measures and a contingency plan to limit any delay in the completion of the project.
What did officials say about water flows in the Indus?
Swabi Deputy Commissioner Nasarullah Khan said the increase in the flows of the Indus River downstream had been authorised by Wapda’s technical team under safety and technical measures.
