Bangkok and five provinces face flood threat from high tides

Bangkok and five other provinces are on alert for potential floods due to high tides and continuous rainfall expected to persist tomorrow.

The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) forecasted that elevated sea levels and ongoing downpours from August 2 to 8 will cause rivers to swell, posing a threat to low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Thachin, and Bang Pakong rivers.

Riverside communities outside flood embankments in Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan are particularly at risk.

Chanthaburi is expected to receive between 200 and 300 millimetres of rainfall in the next two days, especially over the upper part of the Bang Pakong River in the Makham and Khao Kitchakut districts. ONWR Director-General Thanaroj Woraratprasert stated that this could result in repeated flooding in commercial and economically vital areas.

Water levels in Chanthaburi experienced a slight drop on Tuesday, July 30, after the initial run-off wave flowed past the province. Local agencies have deployed pumps to help drain water into the sea in preparation for more run-off waves.

According to the provincial flood operations command centre, at least 3,400 households in 170 villages across eight districts of Chanthaburi were affected by flooding caused by heavy rainfall and forest runoff from July 27 to 30. The flooding also damaged over 4,000 rai of farmland.

In the Khao Saming district of Trat, villagers in the Saeng Lang community had to navigate through floodwaters to receive food and drinking water from local agencies after forest runoff flooded more than 40 households. In some areas, floodwater exceeded 1 metre in depth, prompting officials to use boats to deliver food and relief supplies to affected residents.

Flooding has begun to recede in Ban Chumsaeng and Ban Tha Praud in Khao Saming, but residents have been cautioned about the possibility of additional rainfall and forest runoff.

In the Kabin Buri district in Prachin Buri, students in the Talat Kao community had to wade through floodwaters, and some sick individuals were relocated to their relatives’ homes. Persistent heavy rainfall and runoff from Khao Yai caused water levels to rise to 50 to 70 centimetres, impacting the community significantly, reported Bangkok Post.