Sixteen sluice gates of the Kaptai dam in Rangamati were opened on Sunday due to continuous rains and rising water levels in Kaptai Lake caused by runoff from the hills. The sluices were closed again around 2pm after being open for six hours.
Engineer ATM Abduzzaher, manager of Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, confirmed the information.
"When the sluices were open, 9,000 cusecs of water per second was released into the Karnaphuli River. The water pressure has since reduced, leading to the closure of the sluices," he said.
The sluice gates were opened by six inches at 8am when the lake's water level approached the danger mark. "Opening the spillway during the monsoon when the lake overflows is a normal process. There is nothing to panic about," he added.
Abduzzaheh also mentioned that five units of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant are currently generating up to 219 megawatts of electricity, with 32,000cfs of water being pumped through each unit.
Residents in various areas, including Rangunia in Chittagong, were initially concerned about potential floods due to the opening of the floodgates.
However, after consulting with local authorities and residents, it was reported that the sluice opening had no significant impact on the downstream regions.
At around 1pm, the water flow in the Karnaphuli River, adjacent to the Christian Hospital in Chandraghona Dobashi Bazar, appeared normal.
Local resident Badsha Alam said: "It doesn't seem like the dam has released water. The water is flowing normally."
Rangunia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmudul Hasan said: "The opening of the Kaptai dam's spillway has not affected the upazila. However, our teams are monitoring vulnerable points."