TARBELA DAM @ HIGH RISK – MOUNTAINS OF SILT CAN BLOCK SPILLWAYS BREAKING THE DAM – OFFICIALS FAILED TO REMOVE SILT MOUNTAINS IN 17 YEARS AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE 2005

Tazeen Akhtar / Story of Extreme Irresponsibility of Concerned Officials – From Oct 2005 Earthquake to 10 Sep 2022

How much our departments neglect their duties and how cruel their behavior is even where their negligence can cause the death of thousands of people, has been seen in the case of Tarbela Dam.

I reported in Daily Jinnah in October 2005, in collaboration with our correspondent Mr. Javed from Terbela Ghazi that the Tarbela Dam survived the collapse after October 8, 2005 earthquake.

I reported that the earthquake has caused some damage to the dam, and if not repaired, the dam may break. Further, I reported that silt mountains are only a few kilometers away from the spillways that could move due to earthquakes and block the spillways which would be another disaster. Now that 17 years have passed, the situation is the same as it was in 2005.

The then Principal Information Officer Akram Shaheedi in consultation with the then Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ali issued show cause notice to me as to why your newspaper’s declaration not be canceled for your story has spread panic in the public.

I met PIO Mr. Akram Shaheedi and shared that if my story is wrong, he can withdraw the declaration. Otherwise, you and the Pakistan government should appreciate me and take strict action against WAPDA officials for their negligence. Neither the newspaper’s declaration was canceled nor any action was taken against the officials.

Later I further corroborated my story with follow-ups from the Director General Meteorological Department and General Manager Tarbela.

I interviewed both officials who confirmed the damage and presence of silt mountains. General Manager Tarbela while answering my question said, “We are looking for an international company to remove the mountains of silt from the dam.”

The GM could never find any company and the silt mountains are still a high risk for the largest reservoir in Pakistan. Now our correspondent from Tarbela Ghazi has shared that the mountains of silt are still there and so far no work has been done to save the dam.

Our correspondent from Tarbela Ghazi, Mr. Javed reported on 10 Sep 2022;

The sand and mud coming into the lake of Tarbela Dam took the shape of mountains. The mountains are slowly sliding into the water towards the tunnels. The mountains are 06 km away from the tunnels. The mountains can block the tunnels. In that case, the Tarbela Dam will not be able to produce electricity, neither it will supply water for irrigation.

Moreover, the blockade of tunnels/spillways can cause huge damage to the dam breaking it to drown vast areas around it.

Pir Saber Shah Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources has also warned the concerned officials to give Immediate attention to this dangerous problem.

Tarbela Dam reached its last level 1550 on 20 Aug 2022. It means the Dam is full and a little blockade even can not only exert unbearable pressure on the Dam but the water can come out in the shape of a heavy flood.