Photo: BSS

RANGAMATI, Aug 30, 2026 (BSS) - Authorities today opened all 16 spillway gates of Kaptai dam to a height of 2 feet, releasing around 39,000 cusecs of water into the Karnaphuli River as the water level in Kaptai Lake rose rapidly.

Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station Manager-Engineer Mahmud Hasan said the gates were opened to a height of 2 feet at 7am today. Earlier, the gates had been opened to a height of 6 inches each at 8pm on Saturday.

Rainfall in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and Kaptai area has continued for the last two weeks. Moreover, upstream inflow has rapidly increased the water level in Kaptai Lake. As the water level is about to surpass the lake's maximum level, the spillway gates have been opened further to release excess water and reduce pressure.

The water level stood at 106.2 feet mean sea level (MSL) at 8am today, against its maximum level of 108 feet MSL. On Saturday at 2pm, the water level was 105.64 feet MSL.

The water level in the low-lying areas along the Karnaphuli River may rise due to the release of water through the spillway gates. Authorities have therefore issued an emergency notice urging local residents to remain alert.