Kaptai Lake floods hanging bridge, low-lying areas of Baghaichhari

Heavy rain and a strong flow of water from upstream have caused Kaptai Lake in Rangamati to rise rapidly, inundating several low-lying areas of Baghaichhari upazila and submerging much of the city’s popular hanging bridge.

Authorities opened all 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Hydropower Plant at around 8:15pm on Saturday (August 29) to ease pressure on the lake. Each gate was opened by six inches, releasing around 9,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Karnaphuli River.

The lake’s water level stood at 105.64 feet above mean sea level at 2pm on Saturday, against its maximum capacity of 109 feet.

Several areas of Baghaichhari municipality, including Bottoli, F Block, Puratan Marishya, Masterpara, Madrasa Para, Lailyaghona, Uluchhari, Baghaichhat and Madhyampara, have been inundated. Some roads and homes are under water, disrupting communication, while some families have taken shelter in nearby schools.

Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amena Marjan said the administration was closely monitoring the situation and would take further measures if necessary.

Meanwhile, rising water has submerged a large portion of the Rangamati hanging bridge, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend tourist access for safety reasons.

Tourism Corporation manager Alok Bikash Chakma said the bridge would remain closed until the water level falls and conditions return to normal.

Kaptai Hydropower Plant manager Mahmud Hasan said the spillway gates were opened ahead of schedule as the lake level was rising rapidly. Five generating units are currently operating, releasing around 32,000 cusecs of water per second into the Karnaphuli River, in addition to the 9,000 cusecs being discharged through the spillway.

Authorities have warned that conditions in lakeside low-lying areas could deteriorate further if the water level continues to rise and advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and move to safer locations if necessary.