All the 16 gates of the Kaptai Dam at Rangamati have been opened to 6 inches to reduce the water pressure in the lake.
According to the pre-scheduled time, the gate of the dam was supposed to be opened at 10 pm last Saturday, but it did not happen. 16 gates were opened at 8.10 am yesterday. A total of 9,000 cusecs of water is being discharged into the Karnaphuli River at a rate of 6 inches per second. PDB authorities advised not to panic.
As the water level of Kaptai Lake reached the danger level of 108 MSL due to heavy rains and mountain water in the last few days, all the gates of Kaptai dam spillway were opened to reduce the water pressure in the lake and to control the flood in the upstream and downstream areas.
Elevation of water holding capacity of Kaptai Lake above sea level is 109 feet MSL (mean sea label). 108 feet is considered the danger limit. The water level of the lake is approaching the danger level of 108 feet MSL.
Managing Supervising Engineer of Kaptai Water Power Plant, ATM Abduzzah said, by monitoring the water level and rainfall of the lake, the amount of water released at the gate can be increased depending on the situation.
He said that currently 32000 cusecs of water is being extracted per second through 5 units of the power plant. At present 32000 cfs of water is being pumped through 5 units of Kaptai hydro power plant for power generation. This water falls into Karnaphuli River. This increases the water flow of Karnaphuli River.
ZH
