Rabiul Hossain Chowdhury Ripon:
Due to lack of rainfall and extreme heat, the water crisis in Kaptai Lake has become severe. This has directly affected the Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant, which depends on the water of the lake. Although the plant’s 5 units are operational, 4 units are closed due to water shortage; only unit number 1 is producing 40 MW of electricity. Regarding the situation as of 9 am on Wednesday (April 22), the center’s managing engineer Mahmud Hasan said that production at full capacity is not possible due to water shortage. The installed production capacity of the plant is 230 MW; if all units are operational, a maximum of 240 MW can be produced. According to control room sources, the normal water level in the lake is currently 83.80 MSL (mean sea level), but in reality it is 77.47 MSL. Power production is being severely disrupted due to this water shortage. Those concerned said that if there is heavy rainfall, the water level will increase as the production increases. Incidentally, 68 MSL is considered a dangerous limit. If the water level drops there, power production will stop completely. The maximum water holding capacity of the lake is 109 MSL. Meanwhile, the decrease in water in the lake is not only affecting power production, but also the lives of people dependent on the lake. There is a risk of communication being cut off in the waterways of these five upazilas, especially Bilaichhari Upazila, Barkal Upazila, Jurachhari Upazila, Longadu Upazila and Baghaichhari Upazila. The navigability crisis is being hampered by the accumulation of chars and silt in different parts of the lake. As a result, thousands of people involved in lake-centered transportation, fisheries and small businesses are in danger of becoming unemployed.
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