Water level of Kaptai Lake rises following rains

The water level of Kaptai Lake, the largest man-made dam in Bangladesh has increased in the current monsoon.  Fearing the flow of hilly water, the authority of Kaptai Lake has opened all 16 spillways of the Kaptai Dam from Tuesday evening. As a result, the authority is releasing a total of 9000 CUSEC waters per second through the 16 spillways of the Kaptai Dam.

According to sources, Kaptai Lake needs at least 94 Mean Sea Level (MSL) water levels for producing power from Hydro Power Station. But, from Tuesday, the water level of the Kaptai Lake is105. 86 MSL water levels which are alarming for the flood.

Sources said, the excess water of Kaptai Lake will be released till the water level of the lake becomes  normal.  After stopping continuous raining, the level of water is likely to be normal again, sources concerned added.  It may be mentioned that the power generation project was inaugurated in early 1962, with two of its three planned generators putting 80 MW of electricity into the national power grid.

The third generator of 50 MW started power generation in January 1982. A feasibility study revealed that the reservoir had a 25% higher capacity than what was originally computed.   The operating data also revealed a higher value of inflow than it had initially been calculated. In order to exploit this additional potential, two more generators having 50 MW capacity each was installed in 1988.

The power available from this dam has accelerated the establishment and expansion of industries in Bangladesh and has resulted in an appreciable saving in foreign exchange required for the import of manufactured goods. The power generated also permits pumping of water to achieve widespread irrigation and drainage.