16 Kaptai Dam gates reopened as water level rises

RANGAMATI, Sept 11: Sixteen spillway gates of the Kaptai Dam were reopened by six inches each on Friday morning to release water as the level of Kaptai Lake rose again.

The gates were opened at around 8:00am, with the lake's water level standing at 105.51 feet above mean sea level (MSL), according to officials at the Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station.

The authorities took the decision as a precautionary measure amid a rapid rise in the lake's water level. Several areas of Rangamati district have already been inundated, while erosion has also been reported from different places.

Mahmud Hasan, manager and engineer at the Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, confirmed the development.

He said the gates had been opened by six inches each and would be closed once the lake's water level falls to or stabilises at 105 feet.

The 16 spillway gates were previously opened by six inches each on August 29 after the lake's water level reached 106.01 feet MSL. At that time, around 9,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water was released downstream.

As the water level continued to rise, the gates were gradually opened further. They were eventually opened by three feet each, releasing around 58,000 cusecs of water.

The gates were later closed as the water level declined. However, they were reopened on Friday after officials observed another rise in the lake's water level.

Officials said the latest release was necessary to maintain the lake's water level within a safe range and reduce pressure on the dam.
Kaptai Lake, the country's largest artificial lake, has a maximum water-holding level of 109 feet MSL, according to the power station authorities.

They said the situation was being monitored closely and the gates would be adjusted or closed depending on the lake's water level.