However, the Irrigation Department refuted these claims, insisting that the deluge was solely a result of heavy rainfall upstream. The province’s public relations office reported that several areas along the Nakhon Nayok River in Muang district were submerged. Meanwhile, media outlets broadcast images of flooded resorts beside the dam and along the riverbanks.
Volunteers from Ruam Katanyu Foundation’s Nakhon Nayok branch relayed to Thai PBS and Thairath online that calls for help started pouring in around 2 a.m., reporting that rising waters were inundating houses and resorts. Singha Butamkha, an employee at one of the affected resorts, corroborated these accounts, stating that water began to flow into the area from the dam shortly after midnight, without any forewarning. About 20 guests had to hastily grab their belongings and relocate to safe areas. Unfortunately, some cars didn’t fare as well, suffering damage from the floodwaters.
Chuchart Rakjit, the director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, denied allegations of a sudden increase in water discharge from the dam. Rakjit affirmed that the recent flooding could be attributed to the rains falling behind the dam, not the dam’s water management. According to him, Khun Dan Prakarnchon Dam had maintained a consistent discharge rate since Thursday, which should not have posed any danger to downstream areas. To alleviate the situation, the department elected to halt water release from the dam on Monday.
Adding another layer of urgency, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s Nakhon Nayok office disseminated warnings to residents living downstream from the dam. They advised moving valuable possessions to higher ground, emphasizing that the Nakhon Nayok River’s water level had reached a precarious threshold.
The Khun Dan Prakarnchon Dam releases its waters into the Nakhon Nayok River, which courses through the provinces of Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, and Chachoengsao before eventually joining the Bang Pakong River. With the water level cresting to dangerous heights, the region braced for more challenges ahead.
Why do they keep blaming the dam? It’s clearly the rain that’s causing the floods!
Not necessarily. Dams can exacerbate flooding if water isn’t managed correctly.
The Royal Irrigation Department said the discharge rate was consistent. Sounds like they did everything right.
Government officials might lie to cover up mistakes, you know. I don’t trust their statements.
The dam officials should be held accountable. This is gross negligence on their part.
I don’t know. Isn’t it possible that both the heavy rain and the dam’s mismanagement contributed to the flooding?
Exactly! Why does it have to be one or the other? Could be both.
That’s what I’m saying. People are too quick to blame without understanding the complexity.
Global warming is to blame. We’re seeing more extreme weather events and this won’t be the last flood!
True, but let’s not forget local issues. Proper infrastructure can mitigate natural disasters.
Yes, I agree. But climate change is making it harder for any infrastructure to keep up.
Exactly, without addressing the root cause, these fixes are just temporary band-aids.
I lost my crops to this flood. Who’s going to compensate me for this?
Same here! It’s devastating. Government should provide relief asap.
Totally. I can’t afford such losses at this time of year.
Governments often have relief funds for such disasters. It would be wise to reach out to local authorities.
When will we learn? These ‘natural’ disasters are becoming more frequent because of our environmental neglect.
Idk about that. We’ve always had floods and storms. Seems like fear-mongering to me.
The data doesn’t lie. Increased greenhouse gases are leading to more severe weather patterns.
Agree with ClimateWarrior. Look at the scientific studies that show a clear trend in increasing natural disasters linked to climate change.
Dams need modern monitoring systems. Real-time data could help manage such crises better.
I stayed at one of those resorts last year. Can’t believe this happened. So scary!
Yeah, it must’ve been terrifying for the guests. The resorts should demand better warning systems.
Resorts near dams should have emergency evacuation plans. This could’ve been handled better.
True, but sometimes nature is unpredictable. Even the best plans can fail.
Fair point, but preparation can save lives and property. It’s a must.
I live downstream and wasn’t informed about this at all. Complete communication failure.
That’s unacceptable. Local authorities need a better alert system.
Totally. I had to drive my family through flooded roads without knowing the extent of the danger.
What about the wildlife? Flooding this severe can kill countless fish and other river creatures.
Good point. The ecological impact will be huge and likely overlooked.
Exactly. People are quick to discuss human concerns but forget the environment suffers too.
If proper urban planning had been in place, the flooding wouldn’t have caused so much damage.
That’s easy to say in hindsight. It’s a complex issue involving many factors.
Complex, yes. But it starts with holding people accountable and planning ahead.
Can someone explain why they didn’t get any warning about the flood? Seems like a major oversight.
What a mess! I hope the government steps in and takes swift action.