Water surged dramatically out of the spillways at Mae Ngat Somboon Chon reservoir in Chiang Mai this past Sunday, pouring forth at an impressive rate of 110 cubic metres per second. This marked a significant event, as it was the first time in 13 years that such a release has occurred. (Photo: Irrigation Office 1 Chiang Mai)
The residents along the Mae Ngat and Ping rivers are now bracing for possible floods due to this water discharge. The decision to release the excess water came after 13 years of holding steady, commencing on Monday. Local authorities announced that the release, which sees 110 cubic meters of water gushing out per second, will conclude by 5 PM.
As water levels rose, people living near the riverbanks were advised to stay alert for sudden influxes from upstream. The Royal Irrigation Department also broadcasted warnings on its Facebook page, highlighting a forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The prediction indicates more downpours in the upper Ping River basin lasting until Tuesday, rendering the situation even more precarious.
The anticipated rainfall, some of which can be particularly heavy, is likely to bolster the water flow in the Ping River and its tributaries. These conditions could result in 150-200 cubic metres per second of water being funneled downstream from the dam’s emergency spillway. This surge poses a potential threat to Chiang Mai city and other areas lying downstream, the RID warned.
Chalermkiat Intakanok, the director of Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Water Transmission and Maintenance Project, explained that the increased outflow from the dam’s spillway was necessary to create more capacity and stave off any uncontrolled overflow. The last time such preventative measures were needed was back in 2011, when severe flooding impacted the entire country.
Mr. Chalermkiat further noted that while water levels along the Ping River at Nawarat Bridge have receded to 3.05 metres—below the critical threshold—some areas, particularly Chiang Mai’s bustling economic zones, remain submerged. The recovery efforts have been significantly hampered by low water pressure, making it strenuous for residents to clean mud and debris. The absence of water trucks to assist in the clean-up doesn’t help matters.
Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued warnings to 63 provinces across the North, Northeast, Central Region, and the South. These areas are on high alert for shifting weather patterns, with thunderstorms and gusty winds expected until Wednesday. This applies to all northern and central provinces, including Bangkok, and extends to the southern province of Chumphon.
This could have been managed better. Waiting 13 years to release the water was just reckless. Now everyone has to suffer!
How else would they have handled it? Reservoir management is complex, especially given climate unpredictability.
Regular releases would prevent this sudden rush. They need to think proactively, not just react when it’s too late.
Agreed, Mike. It’s better to be cautious with resources. What if there was a drought?
It’s heartbreaking to see flooded homes again. When will they upgrade the infrastructure to handle such events?
In Thailand? Don’t hold your breath. Corruption and bureaucracy are the real issues here.
It’s unfair to blame only the officials. The sheer volume of rain is unprecedented.
True, but preparedness should be key in regions prone to heavy rainfall.
Farmers downstream are in panic mode. Can’t blame them, their crops are at risk!
Farmers always get the short end of the stick when it comes to water management.
I’m a farmer too. It’s tough but sometimes nature is just unpredictable. We need better support systems.
Why was there no advance warning? People should have had more time to prepare.
They did announce it, but not everyone is glued to Facebook or local news 24/7.
Jake’s right. Better communication channels are needed for such critical announcements.
Still, there should have been multiple alerts across different platforms. Not everyone uses social media.
Why invest in more dams if they can’t manage the existing ones effectively? This is just ridiculous.
What good are predictions if they don’t lead to better decisions? The authorities should have acted sooner.
It’s always the poor who suffer the most. They don’t have the means to deal with such disasters.
Absolutely. Wealthier neighborhoods can recover faster, but poorer areas remain devastated for longer.
That’s why social support systems and government aid are crucial in these situations.
The environment and ecosystems have taken a hit too. We focus on human costs but tend to forget nature.
Does anyone know if international aid might be considered for the affected areas?
It’s concerning that clean-up efforts are being hampered by low water pressure. This sounds like poor preparation to me.
Low water pressure and no water trucks? Seems like just another systemic failure.
Exactly, Shelby. This could have been better managed with proper planning and resource allocation.
What about long-term solutions? Is the government doing anything to prevent future flooding?
Floods have a way of reminding us all about the importance of climate change policies. When will we learn?
Some people still think climate change is a hoax. Go figure.
It’s more about adapting to these changes. Immediate local strategies can mitigate some of the damages.
The absence of water trucks is a glaring oversight. Local authorities need to step up their game.
Fingers crossed that the weather doesn’t get worse. We’ve had enough already.
Humans are simply too unpredictable to manage nature effectively. Maybe this is a wake-up call.
This sounds a lot like what happened back in 2011. Did we learn nothing from that disaster?
History repeating itself. Human short-term memory is astonishing.
I read that they did implement some measures since 2011, but clearly, more is needed.