Authorities on Saturday opened 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station as the water level of Kaptai Lake approached the danger mark amid continuous rainfall and upstream water flow.

The gates were opened by six inches each simultaneously at 11:20 am, releasing around 9,000 cusecs of water per second into the Karnaphuli River, said Mahmud Hasan, manager of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station.

The water level of Kaptai Lake reached 104.08 feet above mean sea level (MSL) at 10:00 am on Saturday, he said.

The lake’s maximum water holding capacity is 109 feet MSL.

"The decision to open the spillway gates was taken to control the rising water level caused by heavy rainfall and increased flow of water from upstream," he said.

Besides, five units of the power station are currently operational, generating an average of 222 megawatts of electricity while around 32,000 cusecs of water per second are being discharged through turbines, he added.

Depending on the situation, more gates may be opened gradually to increase water release, said Mahmud Hasan.

Authorities have advised residents living in low-lying areas along the Karnaphuli River to remain alert, saying the situation is being monitored continuously.

Meanwhile, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi inspected the water release situation at the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Ruhul Amin, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md Alamgir Hossain, Kaptai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam, and officials from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Rangamati district administration were present during the inspection.