PUBLISHED: 6 Oct 2024 at 16:28
The Royal Irrigation Department is alerting residents along waterways in the lower Chao Phraya River basin, including Greater Bangkok, about potential overflow and heightened flood levels. This warning comes amid incoming deluges from northern Thailand, heavy rainfall, and high tides expected later this month.
Lerboon Udomsap, an engineering expert at the department, announced on Sunday that the discharge rate from the Chao Phraya barrage, which manages river flow in Chai Nat province, is set to increase from 2,150 to 2,400 cubic meters per second this week in response to water influx from the north.
This increase in discharge is anticipated to significantly impact areas adjacent to the river, from Sapphaya district of Chai Nat all the way downstream to Greater Bangkok, raising concerns for overflow and severe flooding this week.
Vulnerable regions include:
- Muang and Phrom Buri districts of Sing Buri
- Muang and Pa Mok districts of Ang Thong
- Areas around Phong Pheng and Bang Ban canals and the Noi River in Ayutthaya
- Muang and Sam Khok districts in Pathum Thani
- About 30 communities along the riversides in Muang and Pak Kret districts of Nonthaburi
- Thirty-two flood-prone locations in Bangkok, including the Song Wat area
Mr. Lerboon emphasized that Greater Bangkok is at a heightened risk of flooding due to high tides and expected rainfall, especially given that water levels are already elevated. High tides are projected to occur from October 18 to 22.
Irrigation officials are actively working to channel water from Greater Bangkok to the sea via the Tha Chin and Bang Pakong rivers to increase capacity for incoming rainwater this month.
Surasee Kittimonthon, secretary-general of the Office of National Water Resources, clarified that inflow from the Ping River in Chiang Mai into the Bhumibol dam in Tak province will not affect the Chao Phraya River system.
