16 spillway gates of Karnaphuli hydroelectric power plant will be opened today Saturday at 10 pm due to rising water in Kaptai lake. For this, an urgent warning has been given to low region.

Due to the heavy rains of the last few days and the downpours from the upstream, the water in the Kaptai lake in Rangamati has risen and is close to its maximum capacity or danger level. As of 3 pm am on Saturday (August 24), the water level in Kaptai lake is 107.65 MSL (mean sea level)where the maximum water capacity is 109 MSL. According to the sources of Kaptai Water Power Plant, the flood level is up to 108 MSL and if this level is reached, the water of Kaptai Dam may be released.

Meanwhile, the production of the country’s only hydropower plant has also increased due to the increase in the water in the Kaptai lake. At present, 5 units are generating a maximum of 219 megawatts of electricity per day at the centre. As the water of Kaptai Lake reaches near the boundary, the low lying areas adjacent to the lake are inundated. It is already reported that the houses of many people in the lower part of the lake have been flooded by the water of Kaptai lake. If Kaptai dam is not released soon, many houses near Kaptai lake will face damage.