Hanging bridge in Rangamati goes underwater, tourist entry shut

Water levels in Rangamati's Kaptai Lake have risen sharply, submerging most of the deck of the district's iconic hanging bridge, a major tourist attraction. The Bangladesh Tourism Corporation has suspended tourist access and movement on the bridge since Saturday afternoon (August 29) due to safety risks.

Continuous rainfall over the past few days and upstream hill torrents have caused a rapid rise in the water level of Kaptai Lake. As a result, various sections of the hanging bridge, built over the lake in the tourist complex area, have gone underwater.

According to Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, the bridge deck is unsafe for tourist movement as most of it is submerged. Entry has been temporarily suspended to avoid accidents, and the ban will remain in effect until the situation returns to normal.

According to the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station, the water level in Kaptai Lake was recorded at 105.64 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level) at 2pm on Saturday. The lake's maximum water retention capacity is 109 feet MSL.

Every year during the monsoon, parts of the hanging bridge's deck go underwater as the lake rises. However, this year's unusually high water level has submerged a large section, leaving tourists disappointed and returning without getting onto the bridge.

Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, said tourist entry has been suspended for safety reasons, and the decision will remain until the water recedes and conditions normalise.

Meanwhile, as the water level approaches the danger mark, authorities have initiated water releases to mitigate flood risks in both upstream and downstream areas. At 10pm on Saturday, 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station were opened by six inches each to discharge water.