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Power plant crippled, waterways snapped in Rangamati

4 of 5 KHPP units silent as Kaptai water level falls

SHANTIMOY CHAKMA, Rangamati
Absence of rain for a couple of months in Rangamati has kept the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Plant (KHPP) crippled, snapped the tourist town's water way links with six out of 10 upazilas and sent townspeople clamour for water.
Jum cultivation in the hills is also being affected.
Four out of five units of KHPP are now silent for lack of water in Kaptai Lake. Only one unit operates and another runs from 6pm till about midnight, KHPP sources said.
In the scorching heat, frequent of power outage makes life miserable in the hill town. At times the townspeople have to go without power for the whole day and night, residents said.
Generally, water level in the lake falls in the middle of summer. But this year, the level has fallen rapidly due to lack of rain, KHPP sources said.
The lone power unit now gener-
ates up to 73 MW a day against earlier production of 230 MW. In last winter, it generated 242 MW against its capacity of 230, they
The lake water level is now at 75.36 MSL (Means Sea Level) against 88.80 MSL during winter when the lake remains full. If the water level comes down below 68 MSL, power generation will be completely stopped, the sources said.
The water level should be at least 88.82 MSL in Kaptai Lake for normal generation of power.
When contacted, Deputy Director Surajit Kumar Saha at Chittagong meteorological office said heavy rain is still about a month away The rainy season may set in on June 12, he said.
"We may face a cyclone this month as a low persists on the Bay", Surajit added.
Plying of water transports from the district headquarters to Naniachar, Baghaichhari, Longudu, Baikal, Jurachhari and
Bilaichhari upazilas is suspended, resulting in miseries of commuters. This is affecting official activities also.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BfWTA) also stopped plying of big launches in the lake. Only small engine boats now play on six water routes in the district.
Launch owner Rokeya Begum said the lake is losing navigability due to continuous deposit of silt from upstream areas and hills during rainy season.
The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) now supplies only 11 lakh to 12 lakh gallons of water in Rangamati town against a demand for 18 lakh gallons, said sub-divisional engineer Md. FirozAhmed.
"The machine of our water treatment plant is only two feet under water. If there is no heavy rain in 15-20 days, water supply in the town will be totally disrupted," he said.