Rangamati, August 6 (V7N) – The water level of Kaptai Lake is rapidly rising due to the influx of hill torrents from the India-bordering upper catchment areas combined with persistent heavy rainfall. This surge has caused flooding in low-lying residential areas, with water levels reaching between two to three feet inside homes.

Watch Video: Rising Water Levels in Kaptai Lake Trigger Flooding in Rangamati

Since Tuesday evening, as the water level approached the maximum danger mark, authorities at the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station began opening 16 sluice gates of the Kaptai Dam from 6 inches to 1.5 feet starting at 10:30 PM to release excess water.

Mahmud Hasan, the Managing Engineer of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, confirmed that currently 29,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water is being released through the sluice gates. Additionally, 32,000 cusecs of water is discharged regularly for hydropower generation, bringing the total outflow from Kaptai Lake into the Karnaphuli River to approximately 61,000 cusecs per second.

At 11 PM, water levels in Kaptai Lake were recorded at 108.55 meters above mean sea level (MSL), just below its maximum capacity of 109 meters MSL.

The rising water levels have inundated homes not only in surrounding upazilas but also several lakeside areas of Rangamati town, causing severe distress to local residents.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents to remain vigilant as water levels are expected to remain high in the coming days.

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