Rangamati, Jul 23 (V7N) – Authorities have closed all 16 sluice gates of the Kaptai Dam spillway after the water level of Kaptai Lake dropped to a safe level, ending more than 107 hours of controlled water discharge.
The sluice gates were shut at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday (July 23) after remaining open for 107 hours and 40 minutes, officials at the Kaptai Hydropower Station confirmed.
According to sources at the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB)-run hydropower station, the water level of Kaptai Lake stood at 103.31 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) on Wednesday, well below the danger level of 109.00 feet MSL.
Officials said the decision to close the spillway gates was taken after the lake's water level receded to a safe range.
The authorities added that the water level of Kaptai Lake is being monitored around the clock. If heavy rainfall causes the water level to rise again, appropriate measures will be taken based on the prevailing conditions.
The spillway gates were opened on Saturday (July 18), with all 16 gates raised by six inches simultaneously, after continuous heavy rainfall caused the lake's water level to increase significantly.
END/SMA/AJ
