The 16 spillway gates of Kaptai Dam have been opened by six inches as the water level has reached dangerous levels.
However, although the gates of Kaptai dam were supposed to be opened at 10pm on Saturday, the gates were opened on Sunday morning. Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant Manager ATM Abduzzaheh confirmed the matter to Amader Shomoy.
Providing further details, Abduzzah said, “We went to open the gate at 10pm Saturday night. But we decided to open these gates at 8am Sunday as the flow of water was low, and we were trying to avoid any untoward incident at night.
“However, in accordance with our previous decision, 16 gates were opened by six inches.”
Meanwhile, Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant Assistant Director Sakhawat Kabir said, “The lake had 108 mean sea level (MSL) of water at 10pm and the inflow of water was .06 which was less than expected.
“So it was decided to open in the morning considering the night situation.”
The Karnaphuli Water Power authority estimates that 9,000 CFS of water per second will spill out of the lake, and fall into the Karnaphuli river due to the opening of 16 spillways or sluices.
They added that the gates’ opening may be gradually increased if there is an abnormal increase in rainfall or water flow.
According to plant Manager ATM Abduzzah, the water capacity of Kaptai lake is usually 109 feet.
At present the height of the water is about 108 feet. As a result, this decision has been taken to control the flood upstream and downstream of the lake, as it is close to the danger zone.
He added that at the same time, another 32,000 CFS of water is being withdrawn through five units for power generation. Through which about 219MW of electricity is being produced.
