The hanging bridge in Rangamati known as the “Symbol of Rangamati” reopened to tourists and local residents at noon on Saturday after remaining submerged in Kaptai Lake for seven days.

Rangamati Tourism Holiday Complex manager Alok Bikash Chakma said the water had fully receded from the bridge by Saturday morning. The bridge was opened to the public at midday, allowing visitors to buy tickets to walk across it.

The bridge was submerged on August 29 after heavy rain and upstream runoff raised the water level in Kaptai Lake.

On Friday, water was still touching the bridge deck, but tourists were seen crossing it despite a ban.

Kaptai Lake has a water-holding capacity of 109 feet above mean sea level. The hanging bridge’s deck submerges when the water level rises above 105 feet.

According to the Karnafuli Hydropower Station in Kaptai, the lake level stood at 105.18 feet at 1 pm on Saturday. The bridge could be submerged again if heavy rain returns.