Bangkok: The Royal Irrigation Department has issued a warning to 11 provinces in the Chao Phraya River basin to prepare for rising water levels following adjustments to the water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam. This comes as water from upper areas and tributaries converges, causing downstream water levels to rise between 0.50 and 1.30 meters, particularly impacting low-lying regions outside the embankment.
According to Thai News Agency, the Royal Irrigation Department has alerted governors of Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok to brace for the current water situation. The Chao Phraya Dam is expected to increase its discharge rate to manage the incoming water from continuous rains in the upper regions.
The Smart Water Operation Center (SWOC) forecasts that within the next 1-3 days, the volume of water flowing through the C.2 measurement station in Nakhon Sawan Province will range between 1,300 and 1,400 cubic meters per second. Today's measurement stands at 1,381 cubic meters per second, up from 1,332 cubic meters per second the previous day. Additional water from tributaries is expected to contribute approximately 200-250 cubic meters per second, bringing the total upstream of the Chao Phraya Dam to 1,500-1,650 cubic meters per second.
The current discharge rate from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat Province is 1,050 cubic meters per second, an increase from 950 cubic meters per second yesterday. The Royal Irrigation Department has redirected some water into the irrigation system on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, accounting for about 400 cubic meters per second. Consequently, there is a need to adjust the discharge rate through the dam to between 1,000 and 1,500 cubic meters per second to maintain an appropriate water level above the dam.
This adjustment will likely result in a rise in water levels downstream of the dam, especially in low-lying areas outside the embankment, such as Khlong Phong Pheng in Ang Thong Province, Khlong Bang Ban in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, and several tambons in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.
The Royal Irrigation Department has assured the public that it will manage water discharge to minimize impact. Should it become necessary to release more than 1,500 cubic meters of water per second, periodic notifications will be issued, and the public is advised to closely monitor announcements regarding the water situation.