Rangamati, Sep 09 (V7N) — The 16 gates of the spillway at the Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Plant were closed on Monday at around 10 AM after 15 consecutive days of releasing water. The decision was made as water levels in the lake fell below the danger level, according to officials.

On August 24, the water level of the Kaptai Lake rose above the danger mark, prompting authorities to open the spillway gates on August 25. Initially, 9,000 cusecs of water were released per second from Kaptai Lake into the Karnaphuli River through the 16 spillway gates, which had been opened by six inches.

ATM Abduzzaheh, the manager of the Karnaphuli Water Centre, confirmed, "We have closed all 16 gates of the spillway as the water level has now dropped below the danger level."

According to the hydropower plant’s control room, the water level had been rising throughout the year, reaching a peak height of 108.65 feet mean sea level. The maximum capacity of the lake is 109 feet mean sea level. In response, the plant had released six inches of water through the spillway for three consecutive Septembers.

Despite the closure of the gates, the Kaptai Lake continues to maintain sufficient water levels, allowing the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Plant to produce between 210 and 220 megawatts of electricity per day. The country’s only hydroelectric power facility, located in Rangamati, operates five units that feed up to 230 megawatts into the national grid daily.

END/AM/AJ