Royal Irrigation Department Warns Central Thailand of Rising Chao Phraya River Flood Risks

Mr. Det explained that the Royal Irrigation Department plans to amplify its water outflow from 1,500 to 2,000 cubic meters per second, spurred by an increased volume of water surging down from the north. The department forecasts that the Chao Phraya River’s water flow will hit the C2 water measurement station in Nakhon Sawan tomorrow at a staggering rate of up to 2,100 cubic meters per second.

When this primary flow is combined with a lateral flow of 150 cubic meters per second, coupled with an additional influx from the Sakae Krang River at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second, the cumulative water surcharge at the Chao Phraya Dam will climb sharply. This scenario mandates a substantial increment in the dam’s water release volume.

“The augmented outflow is anticipated to elevate water levels in numerous low-lying areas of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces, which lack dyke protection, by up to 1.5 meters,” Mr. Det elaborated.

Concurrently, a distressing report on social media has underscored the escalating flood issues in Ayutthaya. According to the Ayutthaya Station Facebook page’s update yesterday, the water level in the province surged by 40 centimeters within a single day, indiscriminately inundating multiple villages.

The flood crisis in Ayutthaya has been meticulously documented through several Facebook posts. One particular update highlighted how an overnight increase of 40 centimeters in the province’s water levels led to the Noi River’s overflow, submerging villages in the Bang Ban, Sena, and Phak Hai districts under sudden deluges.

A notably curious point raised by the Ayutthaya Station Facebook page questioned the authorities’ delay in redirecting water to designated catchment fields, specifically pointing out that the province has seven such fields available. The post also lambasted the authorities for veering from their earlier stated plans.

It was pointedly mentioned that contrary to previous announcements of a gradual increase, the authorities had been expeditiously ramping up the dam’s water discharge volumes in the preceding days. This reportedly brought the discharge rate perilously close to 2,000 cubic meters per second, despite an earlier commitment to cap it at 1,500 cubic meters per second.

“What’s the actual situation? What are the real facts? Be candid with the public,” the Facebook page demanded with an air of palpable frustration.

In a related twist, the Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit and the Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan Dam in Phitsanulok have both scaled down their respective outflows to 14 million cubic meters per second and 600,000 cubic meters per second. This measure aims to lower the current water level in the Nan River, which recently rose to a height of 7.33 meters.

As the floodwaters inch higher, the affected provinces remain on high alert, anxiously anticipating the authorities’ next steps. The flooding issue, loaded with both immediate and long-term challenges, will undoubtedly necessitate comprehensive and transparent efforts from all stakeholders to mitigate the impacts and safeguard the well-being of thousands of residents living along these critical waterways.