Kaptai Dam spillway gates opened as rising waters flood Rangamati
Heavy rains and upstream runoff have triggered flooding in low-lying areas of Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila. Authorities have opened the Kaptai Dam spillway gates and restricted tourist access to the iconic hanging bridge.
Heavy and continuous rainfall, combined with significant upstream runoff, has led to a sharp rise in the water level of Kaptai Lake, causing widespread flooding across low-lying areas within the Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati. The rising inundation has prompted immediate administrative responses to manage the mounting water levels and prevent any large-scale disasters in the region, according to local reports.
In an effort to control the mounting situation and alleviate pressure on the reservoir, authorities at the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant have officially opened all 16 of the facility's spillway gates. Each of the sixteen gates has been raised by six inches, allowing an estimated nine thousand cubic feet of water to be discharged per second from the overflowing lake.
Official measurements recorded at the hydroelectric facility illustrate the steady climb of the reservoir. By two in the afternoon, the water level of Kaptai Lake stood at 105.64 feet MSL, which further escalated to approximately 105.98 feet MSL by a quarter past eight at night. Additional operational data indicates that the lake holds 105.54 MLM of water, while the facility's five active generation units are currently producing 22 megawatts of electricity. Despite these figures, the lake remains safely below its maximum absolute water-holding capacity of 109 feet MSL.
The surging water levels have also directly impacted local infrastructure and the tourism sector in Rangamati. Parts of the famous local hanging bridge have become completely submerged beneath the lake's rising waters, prompting safety concerns for visitors and residents alike.
Addressing the safety hazards posed by the submerged pathways, Alok Bikash Chakma announced official restrictions regarding the tourist site. Alok Bikash Chakma explained that because the water level continues to rise persistently, this specific measure has been implemented precisely to avert any sort of unexpected accident. Alok Bikash Chakma further emphasized that tourist entry and all movement across the hanging bridge will remain completely prohibited until the lake's water recedes and the overall situation returns to normal.
