Rangamati’s popular hanging bridge has been submerged in the rising waters of Kaptai Lake following hill runoff and rain. The bridge’s wooden deck began going underwater from Saturday afternoon, prompting authorities to prohibit tourists and the public from using it to avoid possible accidents. The bridge is located in the Deer Park area of Rangamati town and is under the Tourism Corporation.

Tourism Corporation manager Alok Bikash Chakma confirmed that the bridge started submerging as lake water continued to rise. According to information from the Kaptai hydropower plant, the lake’s water level currently stands at 105.54 MSL. Five generating units are producing 22 megawatts of electricity.

The bridge is submerged each year during the monsoon when Kaptai Lake water rises, and this has occurred annually for the past decade. Tourists arriving from distant areas have been returning disappointed because of the temporary restriction. Local residents and tourism business operators have long called for the bridge to be raised, saying sedimentation on the lakebed has reduced its water-holding capacity and contributed to unusually high water levels.