Kaptai dam opens 16 spillway gates as lake level rises

Around 9,000 cusecs of water now flow into the Karnaphuli River

Bangladesh has opened 16 spillway gates at the Kaptai dam after water levels in Kaptai Lake rose, as authorities moved to ease pressure on the reservoir and help control flooding in low-lying areas.

On Saturday around 11:30am, the 16 gates were lifted by 6 inches each, Karnafuli Hydropower Station Manager Mahmud Hasan said.

The opening is releasing about 9,000 cusecs of water from the lake into the Karnaphuli River.

The river ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal.

According to the hydropower station's control room, all five generating units are producing 222MW of electricity.

They are also discharging another 32,000 cusecs of water from the reservoir into the river.

The water level in Kaptai Lake now stands at 104.09ft mean sea level (MSL).

Although the dam's maximum storage capacity is 109ft MSL, authorities consider 108ft MSL to be the danger level.

Hasan said water was being released through the spillway gates after the lake level increased and to help control flooding in low-lying areas.

He added that the spillway openings would be widened gradually if inflow into the reservoir increases further.