Kaptai Dam reopens 16 spillway gates as lake levels rise
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The 16 sluice gates of the spillway at the Kaptai Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station in Rangamati have been reopened once again.
Kaptai Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station Manager Mahmud Hasan confirmed the matter.
As the water level rose, the authorities opened the sluice gates of Kaptai Lake and initiated water discharge. On Friday morning, each of the sluice gates was opened by 6 inches. The water level of Kaptai Lake stands at 105.51 feet MSL.
Because the lake water is rising rapidly, fears of rising water levels and erosion have surfaced across various areas of Rangamati. Under these circumstances, the sluice gates were opened as an advance precautionary measure to drain the water.
Mahmud said, “Considering the situation, 16 sluice gates of the spillway have been opened by 6 inches each to discharge water. When the water level of the lake drops to 105 feet, the sluice gates will be closed again.”
Earlier on 29 August, when the water level of Kaptai Lake reached 106.01 feet MSL, all 16 sluice gates were similarly opened by 6 inches. Around 9,000 cusecs of water were discharged. As the water level kept rising, the extent of opening the gates was gradually increased. At one stage, when each sluice gate was opened up to 3 feet, nearly 58,000 cusecs of water were released.
Later, as the water level receded, the authorities closed the sluice gates.
The authorities said the maximum water storage capacity of Kaptai Lake is 109 feet MSL. Therefore, to keep the water level under control and prevent potential hazards, water is being discharged through the spillway sluice gates according to the situation.
