Water level in Kaptai Lake reaches danger level, preparations underway to open sluice gates

The water level in Kaptai Lake in Rangamati has reached danger level due to continuous rain and water coming down from upstream. In this situation, 16 sluice gates of Kaptai Pani Power Plant will be opened 6 inches at 3 pm on Monday (August 4) to bring the water level in the lake under control. About 9,000 cusecs of water will be discharged daily, the center authorities have said.

If the water level in the lake increases further, there are plans to open the spillway gates further. Kaptai Pani Power Plant issued an emergency notification in this regard on Sunday (August 3) night.

Kaptai Pani Power Plant Managing Engineer Mahmud Hasan said that the water level in the lake was 107 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) till Sunday night. The sluice gates will be opened on Monday afternoon to release water if the rain increases.

Currently, all five units of Kaptai Pani Power Plant are operational due to the increased water pressure. About 32,000 cusecs of water is being released from the lake every day for power generation. The total power generation capacity of the plant ranges from 230 to 245 MW.

Currently, 92 MW is being generated from units 1 and 2, 47 MW from units 3 and 80 MW from units 4 and 5, totaling 219 MW.

Meanwhile, residents living in the downstream areas of Kaptai Lake have been asked to be alert due to the release of water. The local administration and the Water Development Board are taking necessary steps in this regard and have requested the people to follow the instructions.