Production increased at Rangamati hydroelectric power station
Pinky Akhter, Rangamati
Even though the heavy rains have subsided in Rangamati, public life is still disrupted.
Small hills and road landslides have occurred in various parts of the district due to continuous rains. However, no casualties were reported. Although some roads were temporarily closed due to landslides on the roads, traffic movement was restored to normal with the activities of the road department.
However, two roads in Kaukhali and Jurachhari collapsed and traffic movement has been completely stopped. Due to heavy rains, the Kaukhali-Ghilachhari connecting road collapsed in Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati, cutting off communication. The collapse of the road in Yaksha Bazar of Jurachhari upazila has cut off communication with the upazila headquarters of that area.
According to the information of the Rangamati administration, a total of 246 shelters have been opened in the district. So far, 53 houses have been damaged due to continuous rains. Which may increase further. 6280 hectares of land have been damaged. 540 metric tons of food grains have been allocated to the district.
Senior observer Kechinu Marsa of the Rangamati Meteorological Observatory said that about 91 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in the district from 6 am on Sunday to 6 am on Monday.
Meanwhile, the continuous rain has increased the water level in Kaptai Lake in Rangamati, increasing the production of Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant. 155 megawatts of electricity have been generated since Monday (June 2) morning. In addition, 4 units have been commissioned.
Karnaphuli Hydropower Plant Manager Engineer Mahmud Hasan said that so far, due to water shortage in Kaptai Lake, only 1 of the 5 units of the center has been operating to generate electricity. After the continuous rain, 2 units were commissioned last Saturday and another one on Sunday, making a total of 4 units. Currently, a total of 120 megawatts of electricity has been generated from Unit No. 1, Unit No. 2 and Unit No. 4, including 40 megawatts, and a total of 155 megawatts of electricity has been generated, including 35 megawatts from Unit No. 5. If the water level in the lake increases, it will be possible to commission the remaining Unit No. 3.
As of 9 am on Monday, the water level in Kaptai Lake was 86.67 feet mean sea level. According to the rule curve, the water level in the lake should be 76.26 feet mean sea level. The water holding capacity of Kaptai Lake is 108 feet mean sea level.
