No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand

The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control.

With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up their game. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) and the Royal Irrigation Department have explained that the flooding is caused by runoff from monsoon rains, not by storms or unusual weather.

Good news is on the horizon, however, as floodwaters are expected to ease soon. The Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province, which is the key reservoir for the region, is only 60% full and can handle more runoff.

The Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry, Royal Irrigation Department (RID), and Office of Natural Water Resources (ONWR) are keeping a close eye on the situation, especially in the worst-hit areas.

The Interior Ministry is setting up emergency centres and declaring affected zones as disaster areas to speed up emergency funding. Schools in the flooded regions are closing, while the Transport Ministry is checking road damage and building temporary bridges. Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry is ensuring that basic goods remain available at fair prices.

Asked about concerns that the floods might be worse than those in 2011, Phumtham told residents not to “panic.”

“The amount of water is manageable. If there is no more rain, the situation will improve.”

Floodwater

Caretaker Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow confirmed that all relevant agencies are working to manage floodwater in the north and prevent excess water from entering the Chao Phraya River. Water from the Yom River will be diverted to the Sirikit Dam to protect Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, which lie downstream of the Yom River.

Thamanat will visit Phayao, Phrae, and Nan tomorrow. He assured that this year’s floods will not be as severe as those in 2011, as the country’s three main reservoirs can still accommodate more water.

Surat Charoenchaisakul, Director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage, mentioned that run-off from the north is expected to reach Bangkok by the end of the month. City Hall is reinforcing flood walls along the Chao Phraya River, having repaired 60 out of 120 reported breaches. The BMA is monitoring water levels and distributing sandbags to flood-prone communities, said Surat.

“We have eight to nine days to prepare. The water from the Yom River will flow to Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, and Bangkok because there is no reservoir to block the flow. Bangkok will see more rain and run-off from the north in September and October. When water levels in the city’s canals rise, water will be pumped out.”

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her concerns about the floods on social media platform X, noting that Phumtham will lead the government’s flood response and planning until she assumes full authority.

The ONWR has warned of possible flash floods and landslides in 35 provinces until tomorrow due to heavy rains. The TMD urged residents in the north and northeast to be cautious of heavy to very heavy rain from today until August 27.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that seven provinces—Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Nan, Phrae, Phetchabun, and Udon Thani—have been hit by floods, affecting 12,777 households as of yesterday, reported Bangkok Post.