In the ongoing flood situation, there is panic in the whole of Chittagong with the opening of the Kaptai dam and release of water. On Saturday (August 24) at 10 pm, the 16 gates of the Kaptai dam will be opened by 6 inches and water will be released into the Karnaphuli river, said the water power plant authority. Various rumors have spread on social media about this. However, the authorities have confirmed that the amount of water that will be released will not cause a disaster like a flood situation.
Engineer ATM Abduzzah, Manager of Kaptai Water Power Plant, said that the water capacity of Kaptai Lake is 109 feet MSL. A height of 108 feet is considered dangerous. In this situation, it has been decided to release the water in the interest of the safety of Kaptai Dam as there is a risk that the water level of the lake will exceed 108 feet by 9 pm today Saturday (August 24). In this situation, each of the 16 gates of the spillway will be opened by 6 inches and water will be released into the Karnaphuli river. In this every second 9000 CSF water will be drained from the lake to the river.
He also said that if the water pressure of the lake increases, the amount of water discharge will also be increased gradually. However, the amount of water that will be released at present will not affect the locality and will not cause floods or inundation.
Engineer Abduzzah said, there is nothing to panic about the lack of water in the lake. The lake will be closed without water when the water level falls to a safe level.
Read more: 16 sluices of Kaptai Dam will be opened at night
Kangchai Marma, a resident of Chitmaram area near Kaptai Dam, told RisingBD, 'There is nothing to panic about the amount of water that has been announced to be released from the lake at present. We have been seeing that every year when the rainfall is high, some water is released from the lake. It does not cause flooding. The main difficulty is that the Karnaphuli river has strong currents. Chandraghona ferry service may be stopped. Sometimes the low-lying areas of Karnaphuli or cultivated land may be temporarily inundated by tidal water. However, if the gate is opened 6 inches or one foot and the water is released, it will not have any effect.
Abdul Al Mamun Joy, a resident of Hathajari area, said, 'We are in fear of the lack of water in Kaptai Lake. Various rumors have been spread through social media. The fear is working whether the houses will sink again in the water of Kaptai Lake.'
He urged the media to present correct information in this regard.
Kangchai Marma, a resident of the bank of the dam, said that their neighborhoods in Chitmeram were flooded when the amount of water released increased. Besides, Chitmaram area is affected by erosion every year as a result of releasing water. In this way, the neighborhoods have become smaller. Many have lost their homes and land.
