Rabiul Hossain Chowdhury Ripon : The water level of Kaptai Lake has dropped alarmingly due to the prolonged drought, disrupting the electricity production of the country’s only hydroelectric power plant. Due to lack of water, only 2 units out of 5 units of the Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant (KPP) are currently operational. They are generating only 60 MW of electricity.
On Tuesday (June 9) morning, Kaptai Hydropower Plant Managing Engineer Mahmud Hasan said that although all the units of the plant are operational, they are not being operated due to lack of sufficient water. Currently, a total of 60 MW of electricity is being generated, including 33 MW in Unit No. 2 and 27 MW in Unit No. 3.
He also said that although the installed generation capacity of the plant is 230 MW, a maximum of 240 MW of electricity can be generated if all the units are operational. But the water level has decreased significantly due to the decrease in production.
According to the center’s control room sources, the water level in Kaptai Lake is supposed to be 78.08 mean sea level (MSL) at this time. However, the current water level is only 73.99 MSL. As a result, power production is being severely disrupted. However, if there is heavy rainfall, the amount of water in the lake will increase and production may also return to normal.
According to the relevant sources, if the water level drops to 68 MSL, power production will stop completely. And the maximum water capacity of Kaptai Lake is 109 MSL.
Meanwhile, the decrease in water in Kaptai Lake has not only threatened power production, but also the livelihood of people dependent on the lake. There is a risk of disruption of water communication in Bilaichhari, Barkal, Jurachhari, Longadu and Baghaichhari upazilas of Rangamati. The rising of chars in various parts of the lake is creating obstacles to navigation and increasing public suffering.
Photo caption: Power generation is being disrupted as the water level in Kaptai Lake drops; concerns are growing about navigation and public life.
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