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Low-lying areas and riverside settlements in Rangamati have been flooded as water levels in Kaptai Lake rose rapidly following heavy mountain runoff from upstream areas.
To reduce the risk of further flooding and ease the suffering of waterlogged residents, all 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station dam were opened by two feet each on Sunday morning. The release has increased the flow of water into the Karnaphuli River.
Mahmud Hasan, supervising engineer and manager of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, said the 16 gates were opened at 6:45am. The measure is aimed at lowering the rapidly rising water level in Kaptai Lake amid continued inflow from the hills.
The lake’s water level stood at 106.20 feet above mean sea level (MSL), below the danger mark of 109 feet. However, officials said the level had been rising quickly due to the continuing mountain runoff.
The gates had initially been opened by six inches on Saturday and later by one foot at night before being raised to two feet on Sunday morning.
All five generating units of the Kaptai power station are currently operational, producing around 222 megawatts of electricity while discharging approximately 32,000 cubic feet of water per second through the turbines, according to Mahmud Hasan.
The opening of the spillway gates has further increased water flow in the Karnaphuli River.
Meanwhile, upstream runoff has already inundated several low-lying areas, homes and croplands along the lake, raising concern among local residents.
