Bangkok: Residents of the Bang Ban community in Ayutthaya are grappling with severe flooding that has persisted for over three months, forcing them to use boats for daily transportation. They are urging authorities to find alternative solutions to divert the rising water levels that have inundated their homes and made daily life increasingly difficult.
According to Thai News Agency, the continuous flooding is tied to the discharge levels from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat Province. Despite a recent adjustment in water discharge from 2,500 cubic meters per second to 2,400 cubic meters per second, the situation remains dire. The water levels along the Chao Phraya River continue to impact residents, with some areas experiencing water levels exceeding 2-3 meters. The residents of Village No. 5 in Ban Kum Subdistrict, Bang Ban District, are among those severely affected, with floodwaters showing no signs of receding.
Attempts to manage the situation include the construction of earthen embankments to prevent further flooding; however, water leakage in some areas has resulted in flooded roads, rendering boats necessary for transportation. Hundreds of houses remain submerged, and residents express frustration over the stagnant water levels, which have not diminished despite temporary reductions in dam discharge.
Villagers have reported that the floodwaters have persisted for two to three months, reaching levels above their heads. Although there was a brief period of receding water, the levels have since increased again, leaving residents with limited options. The local authorities have distributed relief bags to assist those affected, but the community emphasizes the need for more effective measures to alleviate the situation, such as diverting the water to reduce the heavy flooding.
The overall flood situation in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province has seen a slight improvement, with the number of affected districts decreasing from 12 to 10. However, the impact remains widespread, affecting 138 sub-districts, 887 villages, and a total of 53,573 households. Residents continue to call for immediate action to address the ongoing challenges posed by the floods.