Bangkok and 10 Thai provinces warned of floods as more water released from dam

BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): A flood warning has been issued to Bangkok and 10 provinces in the Central Region amid increased release of water from the Chao Phraya Dam.

Chaiyawat Junthirapong, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said the warning had been issued to Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan provinces, as well as Bangkok.

Officials have been instructed to closely monitor the water situation, especially in low-lying areas outside flood barriers.

Public announcements will warn residents living on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, particularly in low-lying risk areas, to stay alert to water levels and be prepared for potential flooding.

The provinces have also been instructed to coordinate with the local authorities and relevant agencies to inspect flood barriers, prepare disaster relief materials and machinery, deploy personnel to monitor the situation, and be ready to assist the public around the clock, Chaiyawat said.

The department has received information from the Royal Irrigation Department indicating that upper Thailand is experiencing unstable weather, with thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rainfall in some areas, including the northern and central regions, as well as Bangkok and its vicinity, Chaiyawat added.

Currently, the water flow rate through the Chao Phraya Dam is 2,000 cubic m per second.

Based on forecasts for the next one to seven days, it is expected that on Oct 11, the water flow at the station in Nakhon Sawan Province will be 2,200 to 2,500 cubic m per second.

The National Water Resources Committee has approved the department’s proposal to gradually increase the water discharge through the Chao Phraya Dam, but at a rate not exceeding 2,500 cubic m per second.

However, to mitigate the impact on downstream areas, the Royal Irrigation Department will control the water flow through the dam at a rate of no more than 2,400 cubic m per second, allowing it to manage the northern water mass and rainfall that are expected to accumulate during this period.

This discharge rate will cause the water level along the Chao Phraya River and in low-lying areas outside the flood barriers to rise by 60cm to 70cm, which may affect communities in four provinces: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, and Chainat.

The department has issued warnings to provinces downstream of the Chao Phraya Dam and the relevant agencies, advising residents living on both sides of the river and in flood-prone areas to closely monitor water levels and prepare for potential flooding.

If the water level in the upper regions rises and results in increased water flow through the Chao Phraya Dam, further updates will be provided periodically. – THE NATION THAILAND/ASIA NEWS NETWORK