Tomorrow sees the opening of floodgates at Kaptai dam, prompting an emergency alert for sailors at Chittagong port.
In a move that could significantly affect maritime operations, the Kaptai Dam is set to release 9,000 cusecs of water tomorrow (5 August) at 10:00am. This decision, announced by the Harbor Master Captain Zahirul Islam, comes in response to the impending release of water from the dam.
The Chattogram Port Authority has issued an emergency alert, warning of potential "freshet" conditions due to the large volume of water being released. The influx of water can exacerbate already challenging conditions during the monsoon season, leading to increased flood risks near the port area, complicating cargo handling and vessel movement.
The increased water levels and flow changes in the connected river and coastal systems can also lead to increased likelihood of turbidity and sedimentation, potentially reducing navigation channel depths. This, in turn, could result in delays and operational slowdowns due to safety concerns amid unstable water conditions.
Port infrastructure and logistics might also be impacted, potentially affecting container throughput. To mitigate these risks, the Chattogram Port Authority has recommended several precautions for maritime operations.
These include heightened monitoring of water discharge levels and weather updates, hoisting cautionary or warning signals to alert port and ship operators about squally winds and rough seas linked to floodgate releases and weather disturbances. Vessel schedules and draft limitations are also being adjusted to accommodate changing water depths and avoid accidents.
The port and emergency response teams are being readied to manage potential flood impacts on infrastructure and cargo. Coordination with disaster management authorities is ongoing to address broader flood impacts affecting access routes to the port.
Vessel masters have been advised to maintain communication via VHF channels 12 and 16, following the instructions of port control. All ship masters and shipping agents are requested to secure their vessels at berth using six head/stern ropes and three spring ropes at both forward and aft positions.
Residents living near Kaptai Lake have been urged to exercise caution due to the potential rise in water levels. Alerts have been issued to these residents by the local administration and power plant authorities. The Karnaphuli Water Power Station is closely monitoring water pressure and rainfall levels in anticipation of these changes.
The potential impacts on maritime operations at Chattogram Port due to the Kaptai Dam floodgate opening are substantial. However, recent reports note that despite prolonged floods and adverse conditions, Chattogram Port has maintained high container handling volumes but faced disruptions for almost two months due to such adversities, underscoring the critical need for robust flood mitigation and operational planning.
This release is expected to cause strong currents downstream, and the Chattogram Port Authority has advised using additional ropes to secure vessels due to the expected strong currents. If necessary, the power plant authorities may release more water in phases.
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- The increased water release from the Kaptai Dam could worsen the environmental-science situation in the connected river and coastal systems, potentially causing turbidity and sedimentation due to the sudden influx of water, which could affect the science of weather by reducing navigation channel depths and leading to delays in maritime operations, such as cargo handling and vessel movement.
- In response to the emerging environmental-science issues and the impending weather disturbances, the Chattogram Port Authority has recommended various precautions, including closely monitoring the discharge levels and weather updates, adjusting vessel schedules and draft limitations, and securing vessels at berth using additional ropes to withstand the strong currents.
