Tanda Dam is an irrigation reservoir on the western edge of Kohat, about 10 km from the city by road, with hills on three sides, an embankment on the fourth and a natural island in the middle. It is Kohat's main picnic spot, used for boating, fishing and lakeside barbecues, and it has been a Ramsar wetland since 1976. Two things matter before you go: an overloaded boat capsized here in January 2023 and 51 people drowned, and Kohat district is currently one of the areas the UK advises against all travel to.
This guide covers what the lake is like, the boating safety record, the birds, how to get there, and the honest security picture in 2026.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | About 7 km west of Kohat in a straight line, about 10 km by road |
| Altitude | About 528 m |
| Inaugurated / working | 1962 / 17 July 1967 |
| Reservoir | About 644 ha in all; 405 ha is the Ramsar site |
| Water source | The Kohat Toi river, by canal and tunnel |
| Ramsar listing | 23 July 1976 |
| Best months | November to March for cooler weather and birds |
| Summer heat | Up to about 45 °C |
| UK advice (October 2026) | Against all travel to Kohat district |
What Tanda Dam is
The dam was inaugurated by President Ayub Khan in 1962 and became fully operational on 17 July 1967. It stores water taken from the Kohat Toi river, which runs in the next valley to the north, through a concrete canal and tunnel; only a little reaches it from its own catchment. Its canals irrigate villages across the district, among them Shahpur, Jarma, Tappi, Dhoda and Kalo China.
Silt has cut its storage badly. Dawn reported in 2024 that the original capacity of 76,000 acre-feet had fallen to about 40,000, and that a project to raise the dyke and restore it, begun in 2022, had been slowed by a shortage of funds.
The lake itself is steep-sided and stony along most of its shore, with gentler muddy margins at the western end where villagers farm the exposed ground when the water is low. Water levels rise and fall a lot through the year.
What there is to do
The lakeside and the island. The main draw is simply the view: a blue lake among bare hills, with the natural island in the middle. A road along the bank has viewpoints, and weekends and Eid holidays bring large crowds, many with guests from Punjab barbecuing the lake's fish or mutton.
The spillway. Dawn describes the spillway, where water pours out into the canal, as the busiest picnic spot of all. Local boys dive into the canal to catch fish, which they sell to visitors.
Fishing. The reservoir supports a small fishery. Fishing rights on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's public water bodies are auctioned by the provincial fisheries department, so ask locally before fishing.
Lake View Park. Plans to turn the area into a formal "Lake View Park" go back to at least 2017. In December 2025 the provincial government approved PKR 52 million for renovation and beautification, with tendering said to be complete. Earlier versions of the plan stalled, so don't expect finished facilities. For now, bring your own food, water and rubbish bags.
Boating: what happened in 2023
On 29 January 2023 a boat carrying boys from a local madrassa on a day trip capsized on the lake. The boys were aged between seven and 14. Forty-nine children, a teacher and the boatman drowned, 51 in all, and five people were rescued. Police said the boat's capacity was around 20 to 25 people and that it was overloaded. The water was so cold that divers took three days to recover the bodies.
If you do go out on the water:
- Count the people on board and ask the boatman the capacity. If it is full, wait for the next boat.
- Insist on life jackets, especially for children, and don't board without them.
- Keep small children off the water altogether if boats are crowded.
- Avoid winter boating when the water is very cold, and any time the wind is up.
Birds in winter
Tanda Dam was listed as a Ramsar wetland for its wintering waterfowl, mainly ducks, and as a staging point for migrating shorebirds. Its Ramsar information sheet is candid: mid-winter counts seldom exceeded 500 waterfowl, mostly mallard, rising to about 2,000 during the spring and autumn migrations. A 1990 Ramsar monitoring mission even suggested it did not really meet the criteria for the list.
A wildlife officer told Dawn in 2020 that numbers had dropped further, and that hunters were ignoring the department's limit of five birds. So come in winter if birds interest you, bring binoculars, and expect a modest count rather than great flocks.
When to go
Kohat is hot. The Ramsar sheet gives summer temperatures of 24 to 45 °C and winters of 0 to 20 °C, with only about 300 mm of rain a year. November to March is the comfortable season and the time for birds. In summer, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and carry far more water than you think you need.
How to get there
Dawn describes two approaches: from Kohat city through Shahpur, and from the Hangu road through Kalo Khan Banda. Both are winding roads through villages. From the city centre it is a short drive by car or taxi.
From Peshawar, Kohat is about 75 km south through the Kohat Tunnel; see our Kohat Tunnel guide. From Islamabad it is roughly 180 km by road.
Is it safe to visit Tanda Dam in 2026?
Not for a trip planned from outside the district right now. The UK advises against all travel to Kohat district. On 18 September 2026 a suicide bomb and gun attack on Kohat's police lines killed at least 23 people (Dawn). Closer to the lake, two Counter-Terrorism Department officers were shot dead near Tanda Dam itself on 10 March 2025.
On 11 October 2026 the federal government also imposed an emergency and governor's rule across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with army troops deployed in aid of the civil power and road closures and internet disruption reported in parts of the province. The UK's advice now tells anyone in the province to avoid protests and check routes before travelling.
Kohat residents still use the lake. If you live in the area or are visiting family, go in daylight, check local news first and follow checkpoint instructions. Overseas visitors should note that travelling against their government's advice can void insurance. Our is Kohat safe guide and places to visit in Kohat cover the district in more detail.
Who is Tanda Dam for?
It suits Kohat families and their guests: a cheap, easy half day by the water close to town, especially on a cool winter afternoon. It does not suit anyone travelling in from Islamabad or Lahore for sightseeing in 2026, given the advisory and the recent attacks, and its facilities are basic. If you want a day of boating from Islamabad, our Khanpur Dam guide covers a reservoir much closer to the capital that is not on the UK's list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tanda Dam safe for boating?
Only with care. In January 2023 an overloaded boat capsized and 51 people drowned. Check the boat's capacity, insist on life jackets and keep children off crowded boats.
How far is Tanda Dam from Kohat city?
About 10 km by road, on the western side of the city, reached through Shahpur or from the Hangu road.
What is Tanda Dam known for?
It is a 1960s irrigation reservoir that doubles as Kohat's main picnic and boating spot, with a natural island and a Ramsar listing for wintering waterfowl.
Is there an entry fee?
We could not confirm a current fee. Facilities are basic while the long-planned Lake View Park upgrade is under way, so carry cash and your own food.
Is it safe to visit Tanda Dam right now?
Kohat district is on the UK's list of areas to avoid, two police officers were killed near the dam in March 2025, and a province-wide emergency has been in force since 11 October 2026. Check local news before going.
