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

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The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has issued a critical alert to 11 central provinces bisected by the Chao Phraya River, urging them to brace for significantly heightened water levels as the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat escalates water drainage operations. Det Lekwichai, the RID’s acting Director-General, delivered this urgent advisory to the governors of Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok.

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.

39 Comments

  1. Alexandra T. September 26, 2024

    This is a disaster waiting to happen! Aren’t there better water management strategies they could use? It’s 2024 for crying out loud.

    • RiverMan27 September 26, 2024

      Technically, they are doing what they can with the current infrastructure. Mother nature is unpredictable.

      • EcoLaura September 26, 2024

        But isn’t it also about how we plan for these events? They’ve known the risks for years!

      • Alexandra T. September 26, 2024

        That’s precisely my point. It’s about accountability and proper planning, not just acting on crisis mode.

    • Green Steve September 26, 2024

      Water management in this country has always been about playing catch-up rather than proactive action.

  2. Joe September 26, 2024

    The delay in using the flood catchment fields is baffling. Someone needs to be held accountable!

    • Neko Neko September 26, 2024

      Seriously! What’s the point of having flood catchment fields if you’re not going to use them?

    • Jane Doe September 26, 2024

      Maybe they are waiting for the situation to get worse? Who knows.

    • Joe September 26, 2024

      If that’s the case, it’s a gamble with people’s lives! They need to act fast.

  3. Sophia W. September 26, 2024

    While the situation is dire, I think the authorities are doing their best under extreme circumstances. Blaming them won’t help.

    • Tom September 26, 2024

      Well, maybe they should have been better prepared. This happens every year!

    • Sophia W. September 27, 2024

      True, but hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes we forget how challenging disaster management can be.

  4. CryptoGuru89 September 26, 2024

    This is why we need more tech solutions in disaster management. Drones, AI, you name it!

  5. Lulu Bella September 27, 2024

    What about the people in these low-lying areas? Where are they supposed to go?

    • mick007 September 27, 2024

      Evacuation plans should have been in place. This isn’t rocket science.

    • Tommy September 27, 2024

      Exactly. More resources should be allocated to help these residents relocate temporarily.

  6. Jane33 September 27, 2024

    The government needs to be more transparent. This lack of information is unacceptable in such a critical situation.

    • Erik September 27, 2024

      Agreed! If they just communicated better, half these problems wouldn’t arise.

    • Jane33 September 27, 2024

      Communication during crises is crucial. Authorities need to trust the public with accurate information.

  7. Grower134 September 27, 2024

    As a farmer, I am really worried about losing this season’s crops. Floods are becoming too frequent. Is there any compensation plan?

    • Tina M. September 27, 2024

      I feel for you. The government should definitely have some form of support for affected farmers.

    • Farmer Joe September 27, 2024

      Compensation plans are usually slow and inadequate. We need real long-term solutions.

  8. Larry D September 27, 2024

    The real question is: how much of this could have been prevented? Are we looking at human error or just nature’s wrath?

  9. Sam Urai September 27, 2024

    The rapid increase in water discharge is concerning. It’s almost as if the authorities didn’t learn from past mistakes.

    • Anna P. September 27, 2024

      It’s always easier to blame the authorities, but are there feasible alternatives?

    • Sam Urai September 27, 2024

      There are always alternatives. Risk assessments and gradual releases could have made a difference.

  10. Lee K. September 27, 2024

    What are the emergency services doing? Are additional resources being deployed or is everyone just waiting for a miracle?

  11. Watson September 27, 2024

    Ayutthaya’s situation looks pretty grim. The locals must be really struggling with these sudden surges in water levels.

    • Luna September 27, 2024

      Yes, and it’s not just water. It’s bringing mud, debris, everything. Cleaning up will be a nightmare.

    • Watson September 27, 2024

      Absolutely. Post-flood recovery often gets overlooked but it’s crucial for the affected communities.

  12. Tom September 27, 2024

    Why haven’t we heard more about this in international news? The world needs to know what’s happening here.

    • Elle September 27, 2024

      International aid could really help, but it’s hard to get attention amidst all the global crises.

    • Tom September 27, 2024

      True, but every bit helps. Maybe if more people shared the news, it could make a difference.

  13. HappyCat September 27, 2024

    Social media can be a double-edged sword. Yes, it spreads awareness, but it also spreads half-truths and panic.

  14. Amelia R. September 27, 2024

    Isn’t it time we rethink our relationship with water and city planning? This ‘flood-fix-repair’ cycle can’t go on forever.

    • Max September 27, 2024

      It all comes down to urban planning and investments in sustainable solutions. Short-term fixes are just a band-aid.

  15. Charlie September 27, 2024

    What measures are in place for future prevention? This can’t be just a one-time response.

    • Dr. Kim September 27, 2024

      Long-term water management strategies are crucial. Lessons need to be learned from each flood event.

  16. Larry Davis September 27, 2024

    I read somewhere that the Chao Phraya River flooding used to be predictable. Climate change is making everything so erratic.

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