Authorities are preparing to open all 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Dam in Rangamati as the water level of Kaptai Lake continues to rise rapidly.
The gates might be opened by six inches each around 10pm on Saturday, releasing about 9,000 cusecs of water, according to an emergency notice issued by the Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant.
The notice, signed by plant manager and supervising engineer Mahmud Hasan, said the water level of Kaptai Lake stood at 105.64 feet MSL at 2pm on Saturday, against its maximum capacity of 109 feet MSL.
As the water level continues to rise, authorities have taken preparations to open the spillway gates to discharge excess water and keep the situation under control.
Five units of the Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant are currently operational, with around 32,000 cusecs of water being released every second through power generation. If the 16 spillway gates are opened, the additional discharge is expected to increase the flow of water in the Karnaphuli River significantly.
The spillway gates were also opened last month to release excess water from the lake.
Authorities have urged residents of low-lying and riverside areas downstream of the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai, Rangamati and Chittagong to remain alert. They have advised people living in vulnerable areas to take necessary precautions in anticipation of increased water flow in the river following the opening of the gates.
