Kaptai dam floodgates to open tomorrow, Ctg port issues emergency alert for sailors
Authorities have also issued alerts to residents living near Kaptai Lake, urging caution in light of the potential rise in water levels.
All 16 floodgates of the Kaptai Dam will be opened at 10:00am tomorrow (5 August), releasing around 9,000 cusecs of water per second into the Karnaphuli River, authorities have announced.
This is expected to cause strong currents downstream, prompting the Chattogram Port Authority to issue an emergency alert for maritime operations.
In a notification signed by Harbor Master Captain Zahirul Islam today (4 August), the Chattogram Port Authority warned of potential "freshet" conditions — a sudden rise in river flow — due to the large volume of water being released from the dam.
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"All ship masters and shipping agents are hereby requested to secure their vessels at berth using six head/stern ropes along with three spring ropes at both forward and aft positions," reads the notification.
Additionally, vessel masters have been advised to keep their engines on standby for emergency maneuvering and to maintain communication via VHF channels 12 and 16, following the instructions of port control.
Mahmud Hasan, superintendent engineer of the Karnaphuli Water Power Station, said that although the floodgates were initially scheduled to open this afternoon, the decision was postponed to tomorrow morning.
"We are monitoring the water pressure and rainfall levels closely. If necessary, we will release more water in phases," he said.
The local administration and power plant authorities have also issued alerts to residents living near Kaptai Lake, urging caution in light of the potential rise in water levels.
