16 sluice gates of Kaptai dam closed

The 16 sluice gates of the Kaptai dam were closed 15 days after they were opened to release excessive water following continuous rain and rising water levels.

The sluice gates were closed around 10 am on Monday (September 9), confirmed Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant Manager ATM Abduzzaher.

He said that water levels in Kaptai Lake had exceeded the danger mark due to heavy rainfall. While the lake’s water-holding capacity is 109MSL (Mean Sea Level), the water level crossed 108MSL, prompting authorities to open the sluice gates on August 25.

At 8am on that day, 16 sluices were opened by six inches, discharging 9,000 cusecs of water per second into the Karnaphuli River. As rainfall persisted, the sluices were gradually opened further.