PM Shehbaz Seeks Report on Tarbela Project Incident; Workers Safe
WAPDA says all workers were safely evacuated, no casualties were reported and the main tunnel, powerhouse and switchyard were not damaged.
PM Shehbaz Sharif has sought a detailed report on the Tarbela 5th Extension project incident; WAPDA says all workers were safely evacuated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of an incident at the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project and asked for a detailed report. WAPDA said all workers were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported.
What Happened
A weak section of rock collapsed during excavation of the second bench of a connecting tunnel at the project. Water flowed from an intake pit into the connecting tunnel and the powerhouse under construction.
WAPDA’s Statement
A WAPDA spokesperson said all workers were safely evacuated immediately. WAPDA rejected reports that Tunnel No. 5 had collapsed and said there was no damage to the main tunnel, the powerhouse under construction, the tailrace culvert or the switchyard. Water has been fully drained from the intake pit, and efforts to remove water from the powerhouse are ongoing. Senior WAPDA officials, consultants and contractors are assessing the situation.
Prime Minister’s Directives
The prime minister asked for a detailed report on the cause of the incident, the extent of the damage and the response measures taken. The Ministry of Water Resources said officials will review the incident and then decide whether an inquiry is needed.
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