Heavy Rains Damage 12-Megawatt Karnah Power Project, Completion Timeline in Jeopardy

Peerzada Sayeed
Karnah: The under-construction 12-megawatt power project in Karnah has suffered significant setbacks following days of heavy rainfall, triggering a flood-like situation that severely damaged critical infrastructure and machinery.
Project Manager Mohammad Iqbal Qureshi confirmed that water began to overflow the tailrace, while a powerful rush of water from nearby hills battered the headworks and several other key construction zones. A cloudburst at the headworks site caused particularly grave damage to the structure still under development.
“Water and debris entered the powerhouse, destroying much of the machinery and essential equipment,” Qureshi said, adding that a preliminary damage assessment is underway, with a detailed report expected soon.
Access to the site has also been compromised. The connecting road from Thalla to the powerhouse has been affected at multiple points due to landslides, further hindering transportation and restoration efforts.
Authorities now fear that the project, already in its crucial stages, may not meet its original completion schedule. A comprehensive evaluation is in progress, and officials hope to initiate prompt restoration to mitigate delays.