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Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station authorities on Saturday opened 16 spillway gates as the water level of Kaptai Lake rose close to the danger mark due to continuous rainfall and upstream inflow.
Each gate was raised by six inches at around 11:20 am, releasing about 9,000 cusecs of water per second into the Karnaphuli River, said Mahmud Hasan, manager of the power station.
Earlier at 10:00 am, the lake’s water level reached 104.08 feet above mean sea level (MSL), nearing its maximum capacity of 109 feet MSL.
Officials said the gates were opened to regulate the rising water level and reduce the risk of overflow amid persistent rainfall and increased upstream flow.
Currently, five generating units of the plant are operational, producing an average of 222 megawatts of electricity. At the same time, around 32,000 cusecs of water per second are being discharged through the turbines.
Authorities said additional gates may be opened gradually, depending on the situation, to ensure effective water management.
Residents living in low-lying areas along the Karnaphuli River have been advised to remain alert as water discharge continues. Officials assured that the situation is being closely monitored.
Meanwhile, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi visited the site to inspect the water release operations.
She was accompanied by senior officials from the district administration and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
