11 provinces warned of rising Chao Phraya River levels

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has alerted 11 central provinces along the Chao Phraya River to brace for rising water levels as the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat increases its water drainage rate.

RID acting Director-General Det Lekwichai issued the warning yesterday, September 26, to the governors of Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok.

Det announced that the RID will enhance its water outflow from 1,500 to 2,000 cubic metres per second due to a surge in water volume from the north.

The agency forecasts river water will flow through the C2 water measurement station in Nakhon Sawan tomorrow at a rate of up to 2,100 cubic metres per second.

Det explained that the combined flow, which includes a side flow of 150 cubic metres per second and the Sakae Krang River’s 100 cubic metres per second, will significantly increase the water flow at the Chao Phraya Dam. This necessitates a substantial rise in the dam’s water release volume, said Det.

“The increased outflow is expected to cause higher water levels in several low-lying areas in Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces that are not protected by dykes to rise by up to 1.5 metres.”

Water level

Meanwhile, a Facebook post reported that the water level in Ayutthaya rose by 40 centimetres in one day, flooding several villages.

The Ayutthaya Station Facebook page yesterday detailed the flood situation in the province through multiple posts.

One post mentioned that the province’s water level surged by 40 centimetres overnight, causing the Noi River to overflow and resulting in sudden floods in several villages in Bang Ban, Sena, and Phak Hai districts.

The Facebook page questioned when authorities would redirect water to catchment fields, noting that the province has up to seven such fields.

The post also criticised the officials for deviating from their previously announced plans, accusing them of rapidly increasing the dam’s water release over the past few days despite earlier promises of a gradual increase.

The page noted that the volume of released water was nearly 2,000 cubic metres per second, even though authorities had previously stated they would try to keep it below 1,500 cubic metres per second.

“What is the truth? What is certain? Please be straightforward with the people,” the page demanded, reported Bangkok Post.

In another development, Uttaradit’s Sirikit Dam and Phitsanulok’s Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan Dam have reduced their daily outflows to 14 million cubic metres per second and 600,000 cubic metres per second, respectively, to lower the water level in the Nan River, which has risen to 7.33 metres.