The 16 sluice gates of the Karnafuli Hydropower Station in Kaptai were closed for the second time at 8am on Monday as water levels in Kaptai Lake receded slightly.
At that time, the water level of Kaptai Lake was recorded at 108.39 feet above mean sea level (MSL), while the maximum capacity was 109 feet MSL.
The closure of the sluice gates was confirmed by the plant's centre manager, ATM Abduzzaher, at 10am on Monday.
Earlier, on Saturday at 6pm, 16 spillway gates were opened by 6 inches when the water level in the lake reached the danger level. At that point, 9,000 cusecs of water were being released every second into the Karnaphuli River.
Although the spillway gates have been closed, all five units of the hydropower plant remain operational, generating an average of 210 to 220 megawatts of electricity per day, according to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) authorities.
Despite this, 32,000 cusecs of water continue to flow from Kaptai Lake into the Karnaphuli River every second.
The situation arose following heavy rainfall since the second week of August.
On August 25, the spillway gates were initially opened as the lake’s water level surpassed the danger mark due to run-off from upstream hills.
After 15 consecutive days of water release, the water level finally dropped below 108 feet MSL on September 9, prompting authorities to close the sluice gates.
However, heavy rains between September 11-13 caused the lake's water level to rise once again, leading to the reopening of the 16 sluice gates at 6pm on September 14.
