Kaptai Dam opens all 16 gates as lake level rises

The Kaptai Hydropower Plant authorities have opened 16 spillway gates of the dam to discharge excess water into the Karnaphuli River, following a sharp rise in Kaptai Lake's water level caused by upstream hill runoff.

Engineer Mahmud Hasan, Manager of the Hydropower Plant, said that the gates were opened at 3:00 am, each lifted by three and a half feet.

Approximately 63,000 cusecs of water per second is now being released into the river, he added.

Mahmud Hasan said the water level of Kaptai Lake was recorded at 108.90 feet mean sea level at 8:00 am, while the reservoir's maximum holding capacity is 109 feet mean sea level, reports BSS.

He went on, saying water is being discharged to keep the level from exceeding the danger point, and the volume of release will depend on further rise of inflow into the lake.

Meanwhile, rising waters of Kaptai Lake have already inundated several low-lying areas of Rangamati town and adjoining upazilas.