All 16 spillgates of Kaptai Dam opened at midnight

An official says 9,000 cusecs of water is being discharged into the Karnaphuli River through the spillways every second

Authorities have opened all 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Dam in Rangamati to ease the rising water pressure in Kaptai Lake.

Mahmud Hasan, the supervising engineer and manager of the Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant, said the gates were opened at 12:10am on Tuesday.

The decision followed a public announcement on Monday afternoon, in which the plant warned that the gates could be opened at any time and advised residents along the banks of the Karnaphuli River to remain cautious, but not panic.

“The 16 spillways of the dam have been opened by six inches due to the increase in water pressure in Kaptai Lake,” Hasan said.

“About 9,000 cusecs of water is being discharged into the Karnaphuli River through the spillways every second.”

According to data from the plant’s control room, the current water level in Kaptai Lake stands at 108.13 feet.

The plant is generating 222MW of electricity by raising the water level in the lake. All five units are currently in operation.

The water released from the lake eventually flows through the Karnaphuli Basin to the Bay of Bengal.