Chainat: The Royal Irrigation Department has adjusted the water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat Province as a response to the declining water situation. This adjustment is due to a continuous decrease in the water flow from the North, measured at the C.2 water measurement station in Nakhon Sawan Province. This move is also intended to mitigate potential impacts in downstream low-lying areas, particularly in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi Provinces.
According to Thai News Agency, the Smart Water Operation Center of the Royal Irrigation Department explained that the Bhumibol Dam and Sirikit Dam, major dams upstream of the Chao Phraya River Basin, have persistently reduced their water discharge to 15 million cubic meters per day. This reduction is coupled with a decline in rainfall in the upper northern region over the past week, resulting in a water flow measurement of 1,196 cubic meters per second at the C.2 station in Mueang District, Nakhon Sawan Province.
The Royal Irrigation Department has therefore set a plan to modify the water release from the Chao Phraya Dam. Starting at 8:00 a.m. today, the water release rate will decrease from about 1,100 cubic meters per second to approximately 1,000 cubic meters per second by 6:00 p.m.
This measure is designed to align water levels with the current situation in the upper area and to minimize risks and potential impacts on low-lying areas outside the embankment at the end of the dam. These areas, primarily residential and agricultural, are located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi Provinces along the Chao Phraya River.
The Royal Irrigation Department emphasized its commitment to closely monitor the water and weather conditions. The department will work in coordination with relevant agencies to manage water resources efficiently, focusing on water storage for the dry season and reducing the impact on residents in the Chao Phraya River Basin.