The continuous heavy rain has increased the risk of landslides. It has been raining intermittently throughout the day. The continuous rain that started on Monday has continued till Wednesday (July 9). To avoid damage due to landslides, the district administration has taken initiatives to take those living at risk on the slopes of the mountains to the nearest shelters.
The water level of Kaptai Lake in Rangamati is increasing due to the few days of rainfall and landslides. Electricity generation has also increased. At the same time, the risk of landslides has increased among people living at risk on the foothills of the mountains. The Rangamati Municipality and Fire Service have been miking to move those living at the foothills to safe shelters.
Meanwhile, shelters have been opened for those living at the foot of the mountain. The district administration has informed that a total of 26 shelters have been opened in 9 wards of Rangamati city on the initiative of the Rangamati district administration. But there is still no interest in going to the shelters among those living at the foot of the mountain.
According to Kaptai Hydropower Station sources, the water level of Kaptai Lake stood at 95.87 MSL as of 10 am on Wednesday (July 9), where the normal level is 85 MSL. However, the maximum capacity of Kaptai Lake is up to 109 MSL. Meanwhile, due to the increase in the water level, 172 MW of electricity has been generated from 4 units of Kaptai Hydropower Station in the last 24 hours.
Power plant manager Mahmud Hasan said that if the water level in the lake increases further, it is possible to increase power generation to 5 units and take it to a maximum of 220 to 240 megawatts.
Rangamati Sadar UNO Rifat Asma said, residents of risky areas at the foot of the hill are being warned to move safely. The administration has opened 26 shelters. However, no one has gone to the shelters yet.
Senior observer of the Rangamati Regional Meteorological Observatory, Ka Chi Nu Marma, said that 64 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Rangamati from 6 am yesterday to 6 am today. Since there is low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, this rainfall may continue for the next few days, but there is no danger of heavy rainfall, he said.
