Rangamati hanging bridge again submerged

The hanging bridge, one of the major tourist attractions in the beautiful hilly district, has once again been submerged as the water level in Kaptai Lake rose due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff.

Water rose approximately four to five inches above the bridge deck on Friday afternoon. To avoid any risk, the authorities have suspended the movement of visitors across the bridge indefinitely, reports state news agency BSS.

Confirming the matter to BSS, Rangamati Tourism Corporation Manager Alok Bikash Chakma said the water level of Kaptai Lake had risen due to continuous rainfall and an ongoing flow of water from the hills, causing about four inches of water to cover the suspension bridge on Friday afternoon.

In order to avoid any risk, permission was obtained from the higher authorities and the bridge was closed to visitors indefinitely, he said, adding that the bridge would be reopened once the water level recedes.

For several days, the water level in Kaptai Lake has been rising due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff, as water from the Chengi, Maini and Kachalong rivers, as well as the Karnafuli River flowing from India's Mizoram, has been flowing into the lake.

As the inflow from upstream continued, the deck of the suspension bridge was submerged on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, due to the rising water level in Kaptai Lake, all 16 spillway gates of the Kaptai Dam were opened again after a gap of five days.

This is the second time this year that the dam's spillway gates have been opened.

At around 10am on Friday, when the lake's water level reached 105.51 feet MSL, the gates were opened by six inches each to begin releasing water. Earlier, the gates had been closed on September 6.