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The authorities have opened all 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Dam in Rangamati two hours earlier than scheduled as the water level of Kaptai Lake rose rapidly following heavy rain and upstream runoff.
The gates were originally scheduled to be opened at 10:00pm on Saturday (August 29).
However, due to the rapidly increasing water pressure, authorities opened them at around 8:00pm, with each gate raised by six inches.
Around 9,000 cusecs of water per second is now being released into the Karnaphuli River.
At 2:00pm on Saturday, the lake’s water level stood at 105.64 feet MSL, while its maximum holding capacity is 109 feet MSL. The water level continued to rise rapidly throughout the day.
Meanwhile, five units of the Kaptai Hydropower Plant are currently generating electricity, through which around 32,000 cusecs of water is being discharged.
With an additional 9,000 cusecs being released through the spillway gates, the flow of water in the Karnaphuli River is expected to increase.
Authorities have urged residents living in low-lying areas along the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai, Rangamati and Chattogram to remain alert.
