Water level in Kaptai Lake reaches danger mark, spillway gates opened

Continuous heavy rainfall and inflow from upstream have pushed the water level of Kaptai Lake to a critical danger mark. In response, authorities have opened the dam’s spillway gates to release excess water and prevent potential flooding.

Since midnight on Wednesday, water has been discharged through 16 gates of the Kaptai dam spillway. According to the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station officials, the lake’s water level reached 108 feet by Monday afternoon due to sustained rains and upstream floods. To manage the rising water, all 16 spillway gates were opened six inches each, allowing around 9,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water to flow downstream.

The released water flows over the dam into the Karnaphuli River, eventually draining into the Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile, the dam’s five generating units continue to produce 222 megawatts of electricity. The dam’s maximum holding capacity is 109 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

Mahmud Hasan, Manager of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, confirmed the gate openings and urged residents in low-lying areas to remain calm and not panic over the water release.