Abnormal water rise in Kaptai Lake, all spillway gates opened

The authorities have started discharging excess water by opening the 16 spillway gates of Kaptai Dam in Rangamati as the water of Kaptai Lake is rising rapidly. Each spillway gate was opened by 6 inches around 8pm on Saturday (August 29). Through this about 9,000 cubic feet of water is flowing into the Karnaphuli river per second.

Manager and Superintending Engineer of Karnaphuli Hydropower Station Mahmud Hasan has confirmed the opening of the spillway gates. He informed that the water level of Kaptai Lake was 105.98 feet MSL at the time of releasing water.

Earlier it was informed in an emergency notice that the water level of the lake was 105.64 feet MSL at 2pm on Saturday. The maximum holding capacity of Kaptai Lake is 109 feet MSL. As the water level was rising rapidly the authorities took the decision to release excess water to reduce the pressure on the dam.

At present five units of Kaptai Hydropower Station are operational. About 32,000 cusec water is going into the Karnaphuli river during electricity production through these units. Along with this another about 9,000 cusec water is being released through the 16 spillway gates.

The authorities have informed that the flow of water in the Karnaphuli river may increase further due to the release of water through the spillway gates. In this situation the people living in the low-lying areas along the river need to remain cautious.

Considering the impact of opening the spillway gates of Kaptai Dam the authorities have called on the residents of the low-lying areas adjacent to the Karnaphuli river in Kaptai, Rangamati and Chattogram to remain cautious. Earlier last month also the 16 spillway gates of the dam were opened and excess water was discharged as the water of the lake increased.