Due to continuous rainfall and inflow from upstream, the water level in Kaptai Lake in Rangamati has risen to the danger mark, prompting preparations to open the spillway gates.
As of Sunday evening (August 3), the water level stood at 107 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL), according to a statement signed by Mahmud Hasan, Manager of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station.
Although the lake`s full capacity is 109 feet MSL, any level above 107 feet is now considered critical due to the aging dam infrastructure.
To manage the rising water, the power station is set to open all 16 spillway gates by 6 inches each at 3:00 PM on Monday (August 4).
This controlled release will discharge around 9,000 cusecs of water per second into the Karnaphuli River.
Additionally, the station’s five operational units are currently generating a total of 219 megawatts of electricity.
This production process is also discharging an estimated 30,000 cusecs of water per second into the river.
Mahmud Hasan noted that if the water level stabilizes by Monday morning, the planned release may be postponed. However, the inflow and rainfall situation is being closely monitored.
If the water level continues to rise unexpectedly, the spillway gates will be opened further in phases.
