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Chiang Mai Residents Brace for Floods After Mae Ngat Reservoir Water Release

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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.

35 Comments

  1. Anna K. September 29, 2024

    This could have been managed better. Waiting 13 years to release the water was just reckless. Now everyone has to suffer!

    • Mike_B September 29, 2024

      How else would they have handled it? Reservoir management is complex, especially given climate unpredictability.

      • Anna K. September 29, 2024

        Regular releases would prevent this sudden rush. They need to think proactively, not just react when it’s too late.

      • Greenify September 29, 2024

        Agreed, Mike. It’s better to be cautious with resources. What if there was a drought?

  2. Sophie J. September 29, 2024

    It’s heartbreaking to see flooded homes again. When will they upgrade the infrastructure to handle such events?

    • Johnny P. September 29, 2024

      In Thailand? Don’t hold your breath. Corruption and bureaucracy are the real issues here.

      • Paula Smith September 29, 2024

        It’s unfair to blame only the officials. The sheer volume of rain is unprecedented.

      • Sophie J. September 29, 2024

        True, but preparedness should be key in regions prone to heavy rainfall.

  3. grower134 September 29, 2024

    Farmers downstream are in panic mode. Can’t blame them, their crops are at risk!

    • Eli T. September 29, 2024

      Farmers always get the short end of the stick when it comes to water management.

    • GrowerGary September 29, 2024

      I’m a farmer too. It’s tough but sometimes nature is just unpredictable. We need better support systems.

  4. Zara L. September 29, 2024

    Why was there no advance warning? People should have had more time to prepare.

    • Jake.1976 September 29, 2024

      They did announce it, but not everyone is glued to Facebook or local news 24/7.

    • Noreen September 29, 2024

      Jake’s right. Better communication channels are needed for such critical announcements.

    • Zara L. September 29, 2024

      Still, there should have been multiple alerts across different platforms. Not everyone uses social media.

  5. Sam Brown September 29, 2024

    Why invest in more dams if they can’t manage the existing ones effectively? This is just ridiculous.

  6. Harvey W. September 29, 2024

    What good are predictions if they don’t lead to better decisions? The authorities should have acted sooner.

  7. Lucy T. September 29, 2024

    It’s always the poor who suffer the most. They don’t have the means to deal with such disasters.

    • Eric Daniels September 30, 2024

      Absolutely. Wealthier neighborhoods can recover faster, but poorer areas remain devastated for longer.

    • Mandy September 30, 2024

      That’s why social support systems and government aid are crucial in these situations.

  8. Aiden J. September 29, 2024

    The environment and ecosystems have taken a hit too. We focus on human costs but tend to forget nature.

  9. LiamNC September 30, 2024

    Does anyone know if international aid might be considered for the affected areas?

  10. Joe September 30, 2024

    It’s concerning that clean-up efforts are being hampered by low water pressure. This sounds like poor preparation to me.

    • Shelby M. September 30, 2024

      Low water pressure and no water trucks? Seems like just another systemic failure.

    • Joe September 30, 2024

      Exactly, Shelby. This could have been better managed with proper planning and resource allocation.

  11. Ivan R. September 30, 2024

    What about long-term solutions? Is the government doing anything to prevent future flooding?

  12. NatureLover22 September 30, 2024

    Floods have a way of reminding us all about the importance of climate change policies. When will we learn?

    • Pat September 30, 2024

      Some people still think climate change is a hoax. Go figure.

    • Nall September 30, 2024

      It’s more about adapting to these changes. Immediate local strategies can mitigate some of the damages.

  13. Steve O. September 30, 2024

    The absence of water trucks is a glaring oversight. Local authorities need to step up their game.

  14. Helen Clark September 30, 2024

    Fingers crossed that the weather doesn’t get worse. We’ve had enough already.

  15. Linda September 30, 2024

    Humans are simply too unpredictable to manage nature effectively. Maybe this is a wake-up call.

  16. Mark T. September 30, 2024

    This sounds a lot like what happened back in 2011. Did we learn nothing from that disaster?

    • Gigi Y. September 30, 2024

      History repeating itself. Human short-term memory is astonishing.

    • Steve O. September 30, 2024

      I read that they did implement some measures since 2011, but clearly, more is needed.

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