TL;DR
- 16 gates of Kaptai Dam will open at 10 p.m. Saturday due to rising water levels.
- Heavy rains and upstream water have pushed Kaptai Lake near its maximum capacity.
- Flooding has already affected low-lying areas around the lake, inundating homes.
- An emergency warning has been issued to downstream regions to prevent further damage.
In response to the rising water levels in Kaptai Lake, authorities have announced the opening of 16 gates of the Kaptai Hydro-Electric Power Plant in Rangamati, Bangladesh. This measure is scheduled to take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday, as confirmed by the plant’s manager, ATM Abduzzah. The decision comes amid heavy rainfall and an influx of water from upstream sources, which have caused the lake’s water level to approach its maximum capacity.
As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, the water level in Kaptai Lake was recorded at 107.66 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL), nearing the lake’s full capacity of 109 feet MSL. The situation has already resulted in flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the lake, with several homes inundated. The emergency release of water is aimed at preventing further damage to properties in these vulnerable regions.
An urgent warning has been issued to the downstream areas potentially affected by the water release. The authorities are taking these precautionary steps to mitigate the risk of extensive flooding and damage to homes located near the lake. The situation underscores the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and the need for effective water management strategies to protect communities living in proximity to large water bodies.
