Authorities at the Karnafuli Hydropower Plant are preparing to open the spillway gates of the Kaptai Dam on Saturday morning due to the rising water level in Kaptai Lake, triggered by persistent rainfall and an onrush of water from the hills.
All 16 spillway gates are expected to be opened by six inches around 11am. This measure will result in the discharge of 9,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water from the lake into the Karnafuli River.
According to officials at the power plant, the water level in the lake was recorded at 103.91 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) at 7pm on Thursday. The dam’s maximum storage capacity is 109 feet MSL.
The decision to release water has been taken to manage overall water levels and control flooding in both upstream and downstream regions as the lake approaches its danger mark.
Mahmud Hasan, manager of the Karnafuli Hydropower Plant, confirmed that five units of the plant are currently operational, discharging roughly 32,000 cusecs of water for electricity generation.
An additional 9,000 cusecs through the spillways are intended to handle the excess pressure.
The authorities issued a formal warning on Thursday, advising residents in the downstream areas of Rangamati and Chattogram along the banks of the Karnafuli River to remain alert. River vessels have also been cautioned to exercise safety.
The warning notice stated that the situation, including weather forecasts and the flow of water from upstream, is being closely monitored. The timing and volume of the water release may be adjusted or increased if the intensity of the rainfall and hill slopes worsens.
