Excessive rain has put Kaptai dam at risk as water at the hydroelectric centre has reached the highest level.
On Saturday, the water level was 109 mean sea level (MSL), which is the highest the hydroelectric centre can contain.
Sixteen gates of the dam were opened six inches each on Friday morning but were opened two and a half feet on Saturday when the situation did not improve. Around 75,000 cusec water is being released every second in order to keep control of the dam.
Some 240MW electricity is being produced every day.
The manager of the hydroelectric centre, Md Abdur Rahman, said the gates of the dam would have to be opened further if there was more rain.
“This means the low-lying areas in Chittagong are at risk of floods,” he said.
Those living by Kaptai lake, meanwhile, are facing troubles caused by the dramatic rise in the level of water. Many have moved to safety, including government-run shelters.
A number of trees on both sides of the fishery link road in Rangamati were uprooted after water level rose in the lake while soil has also been displaced.
The hanging bridge, one of major tourist attractions in Rangamati, had been under water since early August because of the rise in water in Kaptai lake, said Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation’s Rangamati office.
He said the bridge had not yet been fully closed considering the movement of people living on the other side.