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.
This is a disaster waiting to happen! Aren’t there better water management strategies they could use? It’s 2024 for crying out loud.
Technically, they are doing what they can with the current infrastructure. Mother nature is unpredictable.
But isn’t it also about how we plan for these events? They’ve known the risks for years!
That’s precisely my point. It’s about accountability and proper planning, not just acting on crisis mode.
Water management in this country has always been about playing catch-up rather than proactive action.
The delay in using the flood catchment fields is baffling. Someone needs to be held accountable!
Seriously! What’s the point of having flood catchment fields if you’re not going to use them?
Maybe they are waiting for the situation to get worse? Who knows.
If that’s the case, it’s a gamble with people’s lives! They need to act fast.
While the situation is dire, I think the authorities are doing their best under extreme circumstances. Blaming them won’t help.
Well, maybe they should have been better prepared. This happens every year!
True, but hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes we forget how challenging disaster management can be.
This is why we need more tech solutions in disaster management. Drones, AI, you name it!
What about the people in these low-lying areas? Where are they supposed to go?
Evacuation plans should have been in place. This isn’t rocket science.
Exactly. More resources should be allocated to help these residents relocate temporarily.
The government needs to be more transparent. This lack of information is unacceptable in such a critical situation.
Agreed! If they just communicated better, half these problems wouldn’t arise.
Communication during crises is crucial. Authorities need to trust the public with accurate information.
As a farmer, I am really worried about losing this season’s crops. Floods are becoming too frequent. Is there any compensation plan?
I feel for you. The government should definitely have some form of support for affected farmers.
Compensation plans are usually slow and inadequate. We need real long-term solutions.
The real question is: how much of this could have been prevented? Are we looking at human error or just nature’s wrath?
The rapid increase in water discharge is concerning. It’s almost as if the authorities didn’t learn from past mistakes.
It’s always easier to blame the authorities, but are there feasible alternatives?
There are always alternatives. Risk assessments and gradual releases could have made a difference.
What are the emergency services doing? Are additional resources being deployed or is everyone just waiting for a miracle?
Ayutthaya’s situation looks pretty grim. The locals must be really struggling with these sudden surges in water levels.
Yes, and it’s not just water. It’s bringing mud, debris, everything. Cleaning up will be a nightmare.
Absolutely. Post-flood recovery often gets overlooked but it’s crucial for the affected communities.
Why haven’t we heard more about this in international news? The world needs to know what’s happening here.
International aid could really help, but it’s hard to get attention amidst all the global crises.
True, but every bit helps. Maybe if more people shared the news, it could make a difference.
Social media can be a double-edged sword. Yes, it spreads awareness, but it also spreads half-truths and panic.
Isn’t it time we rethink our relationship with water and city planning? This ‘flood-fix-repair’ cycle can’t go on forever.
It all comes down to urban planning and investments in sustainable solutions. Short-term fixes are just a band-aid.
What measures are in place for future prevention? This can’t be just a one-time response.
Long-term water management strategies are crucial. Lessons need to be learned from each flood event.
I read somewhere that the Chao Phraya River flooding used to be predictable. Climate change is making everything so erratic.