Bangkok: Many areas are bracing for heavy rain due to Tropical Storm Bualoi. Chiang Mai has opened all floodgates to expedite the drainage of the Ping River into Doi Tao Lake and drained water from the Mae Ngad Dam in preparation for heavy rain expected tonight. Meanwhile, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, water is overflowing from the spillway, warning residents to be wary of flash floods.
According to Thai News Agency, torrential rains have lashed parts of Sa Kaeo Province. In Ban Kaeng Subdistrict, Mueang Sa Kaeo District, the mayor of Ban Kaeng Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO), along with community leaders and rescue volunteers, used a flat-bottomed motorboat to rescue Grandpa Chu, Grandma Thongkham, and their dog from their house, which was nearly submerged by flash floods. Grandma Thongkham recounted that she had been staying with her grandfather and dog the previous night. She was about to go to bed when it started raining all night. She didn’t see the canal water rising much, but she was worried and watched until the water came and flooded her. She was shocked and brought her dog upstairs. She couldn’t gather her belongings in time, so she stayed upstairs until morning when rescuers arrived to help her out. She’s lived there for decades and has never experienced anything like this before.
This past evening, some rain began falling in several areas of Chiang Mai. The water level in the Ping River, which flows through Chiang Mai city, at the P1 measurement point at the base of Nawarat Bridge remained at 2 meters and 49 centimeters, more than 1 meter below the critical warning level of 3 meters and 70 centimeters, and nearly 2 meters below the flood barrier. This is partly due to the Chiang Mai Irrigation Department accelerating the draining of the Ping River by opening all sluice gates and draining 47 million cubic meters of water from the Mae Ngad Somboon Chon Dam, located north of the city, to prepare for Tropical Storm Bualoi.
Chiang Mai Governor Thotsapol Phueanudom recently convened a meeting of relevant agencies to prepare for Tropical Storm Bualoi. He revealed that Chiang Mai has already faced the influence of four storms this flood season, with Bualoi being the fifth. The Ping River dredging project has increased water capacity and drainage, reducing the risk of flooding in Chiang Mai. Tropical Storm Bualoi may cause heavy rain in Chiang Mai from tonight until tomorrow, causing the Ping River to rise again. He has ordered full preparation, particularly for six at-risk areas: Chiang Mai City Municipality, San Phisuea Subdistrict Municipality, Tha Wang Tan Subdistrict Municipality, Nong Hoi Subdistrict Municipality, Fa Ham Subdistrict Municipality, and Pa Daet Subdistrict Municipality. A total of 88 water pumps have been deployed in low-lying communities. Risk maps have been developed and vulnerable points have been pinpointed throughout Chiang Mai to provide timely warnings and assistance. He urged residents to closely monitor
news and official announcements.
Reporters from the Nakhon Ratchasima Irrigation Project reported that a monsoon trough is passing through Nakhon Ratchasima Province, causing heavy rainfall in the province, including the water catchment area upstream of the Lam Chamuak Reservoir in Nikhom Subdistrict, Phimai District. This is causing significant water inflow into the reservoir. While the Lam Chamuak Reservoir can store only 23.45 million cubic meters of water, the reservoir currently holds 29.41 million cubic meters, or 126.88% of its capacity. This has caused the water to overflow the spillway. Residents of Phimai District, particularly those living along the natural canals downstream of the Lam Chamuak Reservoir, have been warned to closely monitor the water situation. The latest data indicates that water has inundated rice fields downstream of the Lam Chamuak Reservoir. The water situation in Phimai District remains under close monitoring.