Power generation at the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station in Kaptai is facing the risk of complete suspension as the water level in Kaptai Lake continues to decline sharply, forcing three of the plant's five generating units to remain shut.
At present, only two units are operational, producing a combined 58 megawatts (MW) of electricity—far below the plant's installed generation capacity of 240 MW.
Manager of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, Engineer Mahmood Hasan, said on Wednesday that the lake's water level has been falling steadily throughout the dry season. Although the area received intermittent rainfall this week, it was not enough to significantly improve the situation.
According to plant authorities, the water level in Kaptai Lake stood at 73.91 feet mean sea level (MSL) at 9:00am on Wednesday, compared with the rule-curve level of 78.34 feet MSL, leaving it 4.43 feet below the desired mark.
Sources at the power station said 68 feet MSL is considered the critical threshold for power generation. If the water level drops to that point, electricity generation at the country's only hydroelectric power plant will have to be suspended entirely.
Engineers at the plant's control room said Unit-2 was generating 30 MW and Unit-3 was producing 28 MW on Wednesday morning, bringing total output to 58 MW.
Officials of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said the remaining units cannot be brought back into operation unless the region receives substantial rainfall in the coming days.
The falling water level is also disrupting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on Kaptai Lake for transportation, fishing and trade.
Residents of remote upazilas, including Belaichari, Barkal, Juraichhari, Langadu and Baghaichhari, are facing increasing difficulties as navigability in several parts of the lake has deteriorated due to the emergence of shoals.
Local sources said water transport services have already been disrupted in many areas, causing hardship for residents and adversely affecting business and commercial activities across the region.