Incoming overflow: Sandbag embankments have been reinforced along Tha Ratcha Woradit near City Hall as Bangkok braces for an overflow of the Chao Phraya River. The Royal Irrigation Department has issued flood warnings to 10 provinces and Bangkok, effective from Sunday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has alerted residents across 11 Central provinces about an impending increase in the water discharge rate from the Chao Phraya Dam. This proactive measure is intended to alleviate the devastating impacts of super typhoon Yagi. Det Lekwichai, acting director of the RID, announced on Saturday that the alert extends to Bangkok, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan.
The water discharge rate from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat is set to skyrocket from 300 cubic meters per second to an impressive 1,500-1,700 cubic meters per second, owing to the substantial downpour anticipated in the upcoming week. Consequently, water levels along the river are expected to rise by approximately 20-50 cm, particularly impacting low-lying areas. This rise will be most pronounced near Phong Phaeng Canal in Ang Thong and in two districts of Ayutthaya, namely Phak Hai and Sena.
The projections from the RID indicate that more than 1,600 cubic meters per second of water will flow through the water station in Nakhon Sawan’s Muang district this coming Thursday. Despite having the capacity to discharge up to 2,000 cubic meters per second, the RID will implement this gradually to minimize disruption. Det emphasized that residents along the Chao Phraya River will receive advance warnings to prepare for the changes.
Preparations are in high gear as the RID braces for further rainfall, an inevitable consequence of super typhoon Yagi. The Thai Meteorological Department reports that Yagi, now dubbed Asia’s most powerful storm of the year, made landfall in Vietnam on Saturday. Although the super typhoon will downgrade to a tropical storm and eventually a depression, its effects will still be felt in Thailand.
While Thailand may not receive a direct hit from Yagi, the storm’s influence will deliver heavy rains in the upper Northeastern and Northern regions of the country, accompanied by strong gusts of wind in certain areas until Tuesday. Special caution is advised for people in mountainous regions; the hillsides in Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phayao are particularly susceptible to flash floods.
This is just crazy! How can we be prepared when the city is so old and the infrastructure is falling apart?
Maybe instead of just complaining, you could volunteer to fill sandbags? It’s everyone’s responsibility to help.
Ross, you know not everyone has the luxury of time. Some people have jobs and families to take care of.
Why isn’t the government doing more to improve the infrastructure in the first place? Reactive measures won’t solve the problem long-term.
Exactly, Chandler. The city’s infrastructure is a joke!
I think everyone needs to chill. The RID is doing the best they can under the circumstances.
I’m from Ayutthaya, and let me tell you, flooding is a common thing here. This year’s preparations seem more robust though.
I’m skeptical. Every year they say they are prepared, and yet every year we end up wading through knee-deep water.
Why can’t they just build better levees and flood control systems like in the Netherlands?
That would require a massive amount of investment and might not be feasible in a city like Bangkok, with its rapid development and environmental challenges.
But isn’t that a better solution than dealing with this chaos every year?
Joan, the Netherlands spends billions on their flood defenses. Thailand doesn’t have the same budget.
What are we even doing to tackle climate change? These super typhoons are becoming more frequent.
True, but local governments are more focused on immediate disaster management than long-term climate policies.
Immediate action doesn’t mean we shouldn’t focus on climate change. It’s our biggest threat!
Good point, Sarah. But neglecting climate change will lead to more disasters in the future.
Living in a low-lying area, I can’t help but be worried. Is there any way for residents to get real-time updates on the situation?
There are some apps now that give real-time flood alerts. I recommend downloading one.
Yes, and also check local community boards. Sometimes, word of mouth is faster than official updates.
Can someone explain why every year we have to go through this? Why hasn’t a permanent solution been implemented?
It’s not that easy. Long-term solutions require time, money, and planning, which isn’t always feasible in a city like Bangkok.
Mandy, a lot of it also has to do with the geography of the region. Flooding is almost inevitable.
At least the authorities are giving advance warnings now. Better late than never, I guess?
Exactly! It’s time people started taking personal responsibility as well and prepping their homes.
Personal responsibility only goes so far when your entire street is underwater.
I think it’s time for us to start learning from other countries with better flood management systems. Thailand can’t keep going through this every year.
Will insurance companies even cover the damage caused by this inevitable flooding?
It’s unfair to expect the government to solve everything. Communities need to come together and support each other in times like this.
Yes, but the government has the resources and the capability to implement larger-scale solutions that individuals can’t.
For those complaining about lack of action, remember typhoons are natural disasters. The government is doing what it can.
I agree. People need to stop expecting miracles and start preparing themselves.
Why isn’t anyone talking about the economic impact this will have? Businesses are going to suffer, and no one is addressing that.
Spot on, Lisa. The economic ramifications are huge, and yet we only talk about immediate relief measures.
Thailand should consider more sustainable city planning in flood-prone areas. It’s high time for a change.
I worry about the kids walking to school in these conditions. Will schools be closed?
What about COVID-19? No one’s talking about the risks of being in crowded shelters if the flooding gets that bad.
The unpredictable weather patterns make it really hard to plan anything. Hopefully, the alert system works efficiently this time.
Can we talk about the impact on agriculture? Many farmers will suffer huge losses.