16 gates of Kaptai Hydropower Plant opened, public urged not to panic

The authorities on Sunday morning opened the 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Hydropower Plant as water levels of the Kaptai Lake reached above the danger level. However, lake management officials reassured the public not to panic.

Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan, the Rangamati District Commissioner and Chairman of the Kaptai Lake Management and Operations Committee, confirmed the opening of the dam's spillway at around 8.00 am on Sunday (August 25).

This decision to unlock the gates were taken after monitoring water levels, which increased rapidly due to heavy rainfall over the previous four days, leading to flash floods in the upstream areas.

The release of water through the spillway gates is expected to discharge approximately 9,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water. Depending on how the situation evolves, the plant may increase the gate openings to manage the lake’s water levels effectively.

Engineers at the power plant explained that Kaptai Lake’s maximum water-holding capacity is 109 ft MSL, with 108 ft being the threshold for the danger level.

By Saturday afternoon, the lake's water level had neared this critical point, necessitating the controlled release of water to prevent potential flooding in the upstream and downstream regions.

Currently, the hydropower plant is operating its five units, generating electricity by discharging 32,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) of water into the Karnaphuli River. The increase in water release is expected to raise the water level in the Karnaphuli River as well.

Mosharraf Hossain Khan said, "The water level in Kaptai Lake has now reached the danger level. To mitigate risk, we have decided to release water according to the rule curve. Initially, we will open 16 gates by 6 inches each, as we do every year."

He urged everyone to remain calm and not to panic.