Weekend flooding threatens provinces in the Chao Phraya basin
PHOTO: tna.mcot.net
The Royal Irrigation Department has issued an urgent flood alert for seven provinces as more water is released from the reservoirs feeding the Chao Phraya dam at Chai Nat province in central Thailand (map below). Residents in the seven provinces are being advised to monitor water levels closely as the water is released.
Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya and Lop Buri, all sitting in the Chao Phraya Basin, in the are at risk from overflow of the Chao Phraya River. Villagers in the Sena district of Ayutthaya have been using boats to reach main roads as the water level has risen in their villages and farmlands.
Yesterday morning (Sunday), the water level at the Chao Phraya dam was 16.73 metres above mean sea level and the dam was discharging water downstream at the rate of 898 cubic metres per second.
The Meteorological Department has lifted storm warnings after the effects of ‘Kajiki’ weakened, but rain is still forecast for the northern and northeastern regions up to the weekend.
The current floodwaters will eventually push south along the Chao Phraya and reach the Bangkok delta.
