Kaptai Lake water level to be lowered for power generation, agriculture

A decision in principle has been taken to lower the water level of Kaptai Lake to increase electricity generation at the Kaptai Hydropower Plant, facilitate agricultural activities on submerged lands and ensure smooth arrangements for the upcoming Union Parishad elections.

The proposal was raised at a meeting of the Technical Sub-Committee on Kaptai Lake Management held at the conference room of the Rangamati Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from various departments involved in lake management.

Additional District Magistrate Nishat Sharmin, Kaptai Hydropower Plant Manager Mahmud Hasan and Rangamati Water Development Board representative Tayan Kumar Tripura were also present, among other committee members.

The meeting reviewed the overall situation of Kaptai Lake, with discussions focusing on maintaining electricity generation, ensuring the smooth conduct of the upcoming Union Parishad elections and allowing local farmers to cultivate submerged lands at the appropriate time.

Officials at the meeting said regulating the lake’s water level was necessary to keep the hydropower plant operational to meet the country’s electricity demand, facilitate election-related activities and ensure agricultural opportunities for local farmers.

They also stressed the need to formulate and implement a specific action plan for water discharge and regulation of the lake’s water level in the coming days.