Kaptai Dam's 16 water gates reopened

The Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant authorities have started releasing water into the Karnaphuli River for the second time in this month as the water level in Kaptai Lake has again approached the danger level.

Manager of Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydropower, Plant Mahmud Hasan confirmed the matter to BSS.

"Sixteen gates of the spillway of Kaptai Dam were opened six inches from 8 pm on Wednesday and the water was released. Around 9,000 cusecs of water is flowing into Karnaphuli every second," he said.

He also said that the inflow and rainfall situation of the lake are currently being closely monitored.

"If the water level increases unexpectedly, the amount of opening of the spillway (water gates) gates will be increased in phases," the officer said.

At 8 pm on Wednesday, the water level of Kaptai Lake was 108.35 MSL. The maximum water holding capacity of the lake is 109 MSL.

Meanwhile, five units of the Kaptai Power Plant are in operation to increase the water level of the lake while 32,000 cusecs of water is being release from Kaptai Lake into the Karnaphuli River every second. Currently, the Kaptai Power Plant is generating 220 MW of electricity.

Earlier on August 5 last, 16 sluice gates of the Kaptai Water Power Plant were opened by 6 inches as the water level of Kaptai Lake crossed the danger level which was almost 109 feet.

Later, as the rain continued, the water level of the lake increased abnormally due to the hilly discharge coming down from the upstream, and then the sluice gates of the center were opened up to a maximum of 3.5 feet.

Finally, seven days after the water was released, the water level in the lake decreased, and the 16 sluice gates of the Kaptai Water Power Plant were closed at 9 am on August 12.