Tanda Dam is a dam and reservoir about 12 km west of Kohat, built on the Tanda stream in the 1960s. The lake sits in dry, scrubby hills that give it a remote and arid quality — the contrast between the water and the surrounding brown landscape is surprisingly striking. For locals, it is the main weekend escape from the dust and noise of town, and on Fridays and public holidays families spread picnics on the grassy banks.
Boats have been available for hire at the reservoir, though the operation is quieter since a tragic capsize in January 2023 in which several children drowned. The facilities — a few food stalls, basic amenities — are simple. This is not a resort or a developed recreation area. It is a pleasant place to sit by water in an otherwise dry part of the world, and the drive out from Kohat along the valley road is itself worth taking for the views of the surrounding hills.